In the context of polity, which one of the following would you accept as the most appropriate definition of liberty?

Liberty can be understood from two viewpoints: negative and positive.

Negative liberty refers to the absence of restrictions or constraints.

Positive liberty is the ability and opportunity to control one's life and achieve one's fundamental goals.

The purpose of removing obstacles (negative liberty) is ultimately to enable the realization of one's full potential (positive liberty).

Option B, "Absence of restraint," only captures the negative aspect of liberty.

Option D, "Opportunity to develop oneself fully," encompasses a more complete understanding of liberty, including both negative and positive dimensions.

Option A, while related to the protection of rights, is more directly associated with fundamental rights and the rule of law than with the comprehensive definition of liberty.

Hence, option D is the most appropriate definition of liberty.

Sources:

• Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy - Positive and Negative Liberty