What is human freedom, and what are the main threats to it today? These questions and more are discussed in Lars Svendsen's comprehensive investigation of the nature of freedom in contemporary society. Our behaviours, thoughts and actions are governed by a variety of restrictions, deadlines and burdens. Taking a broad approach across metaphysics, politics and ethics, A Philosophy of Freedom questions how we can successfully create meaningful lives for ourselves and others when we are estranged in this way from the very concept of what it means to be free. By tackling such issues as the nature of free agency and the possibility of freedom in a universe governed by natural laws, Svendsen concludes that the real definition of personal freedom is first and foremost the liberty to devote yourself to what truly matters to you.

Author Biography

Lars Svendsen is a professor of Philosophy at the University of Bergen, Norway. His previous publications include A Philosophy of Boredom (2004), Fashion: A Philosophy (2006) and A Philosophy of Fear (2008), all published by Reaktion Books.