Group Freedom: A Social Mechanism Account. (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hindriks, Frank
• Is Part Of: Philosophy of the social sciences. Volume 47:Number 6(2017:Dec.)
• Page Start: 410
• Page End: 439
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: group freedom -- group right -- liberal multiculturalism -- social categorization -- social mechanism -- inscription -- ascription -- social group; Social sciences -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Methodology -- Periodicals; Sciences sociales -- Périodiques; Sciences sociales -- Méthodologie -- Périodiques; 300.1
• DOI: 10.1177/0048393117726172
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0048-3931

Abstract

Many existing defenses of group rights seem to rely on the notion of group freedom. To date, however, no adequate analysis of this notion has been offered. Group freedom is best understood in terms of processes of social categorization that are embedded in social mechanisms. Such processes often give rise to group-specific constraints and enablements. On the proposed social mechanism account, group rights are demands for group freedom. Even so, group rights often serve to eradicate individual unfreedom. Furthermore, generic measures sometimes provide the most appropriate solution to a problem of group unfreedom.