Passage Based Questions: Freedom | Political Science Class 11 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Passage - 1

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.

Freedom Is said to exist when external constraints on the individual are absent. In terms of this definition, an Individual could be considered free If he/she Is not subject to external controls or coercion and Is able to make independent decisions and act In an autonomous way. However, absence of constraints Is only one dimension of freedom. Freedom Is also about expanding the ability of people to freely express themselves and develop their potential. Freedom In this sense Is the condition In which people can develop their creativity and capabilities.

Q1: How can an individual be considered free based on the definition provided in the passage?
Ans:

• An individual can be considered free when they are not subject to external controls or coercion, allowing them to make independent decisions.
• Freedom, in this context, is characterized by the absence of external constraints, enabling individuals to act autonomously.

Q2: What additional dimension of freedom is highlighted in the passage, and how is it defined?
Ans:

• In addition to the absence of constraints, the passage emphasizes that freedom is also about expanding an individual's ability to freely express themselves and develop their potential.
• This broader definition of freedom encompasses the condition in which people can nurture their creativity and capabilities, fostering personal growth and self-expression.

Q3: How does the passage distinguish between the two dimensions of freedom, and what do they collectively contribute to an individual's sense of freedom?
Ans:

• The passage distinguishes between the absence of external constraints and the ability to develop one's potential and express oneself freely.
• These dimensions collectively contribute to an individual's sense of freedom by addressing both the negative aspect of being free from interference and the positive aspect of having opportunities for self-expression and personal growth.

Passage - 2

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.

To be free means to reduce or minimise social constraints that limit our ability to make choices freely. However, this Is only one aspect of freedom. To put It In another way, freedom also has a positive dimension. To be free society must widen the area in which Individuals, groups, communities or nations, will be able to charter their own destiny and be what they wish to be. Freedom, In this sense, allows the full development of the individual's creativity, sensibilities and capabilities: be It In sports, science, art, music or exploration. A free society Is one that enables one to pursue one's Interests with a minimum of constraints. Freedom Is considered valuable because It allows us to make choices and to exercise our Judgement. It permits the exercise of the Individual's powers of reason and judgement.

Q1: What is the negative aspect of freedom as mentioned in the passage, and how is it defined?
Ans:

• The negative aspect of freedom involves reducing or minimizing social constraints that limit an individual's ability to make choices freely.
• This aspect of freedom is about the absence of external limitations that might hinder individual choices and actions.

Q2: How does the passage describe the positive dimension of freedom, and what does it entail?
Ans:

• The positive dimension of freedom is characterized by a society that widens the space for individuals, groups, communities, or nations to determine their own destiny and fulfill their aspirations.
• It allows the full development of an individual's creativity, sensibilities, and capabilities across various domains like sports, science, art, music, and exploration.

Q3: Why is freedom considered valuable, according to the passage, and what does it enable individuals to do?
Ans:

• Freedom is considered valuable because it empowers individuals to make choices and exercise their judgment.
• It permits the exercise of an individual's powers of reason and judgment, allowing them to pursue their interests with a minimum of constraints and ultimately fostering personal growth and self-expression.

Passage - 3

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.

Differences may exist between people regarding their Ideas and opinions, they may have conflicting ambitions, they may compete to control scarce resources. There are numerous reasons why disagreements may develop In a society which may express themselves through open conflict. We see people around us ready to fight for all kinds of reasons ranging from the serious to the trivial. Rage while driving on the roads, fighting over parking spaces, quarrels over housing or land, disagreements regarding whether a particular film should be screened, all these, and many other issues, can lead to conflict and violence, perhaps even loss of life.

Q1: What are some common reasons for disagreements and conflicts among people in society, as mentioned in the passage?
Ans:

• Differences in ideas and opinions, conflicting ambitions, and competition for limited resources can give rise to disagreements and conflicts.
• Various issues, ranging from serious to trivial, can lead to conflict and violence, including road rage, disputes over parking spaces, housing or land conflicts, and disagreements over whether to screen a particular film.

Q2: Can you give examples of everyday situations where conflicts might arise, as per the passage?
Ans:

• Conflicts can emerge in everyday situations such as disputes over parking spaces, housing or land ownership, and disagreements over the screening of specific films.
• The passage also mentions road rage as another common scenario where conflicts can quickly escalate.

Q3: What potential consequences can arise from conflicts, as mentioned in the passage?
Ans:

• Conflicts can lead to various consequences, including violence and, in extreme cases, loss of life.
• The passage highlights the diverse range of issues, from minor to major, that can spark conflicts and the importance of managing and resolving disputes in society.

Passage - 4

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.

However, as freedom Is at the core of human society and is so crucial for a dignified human life, It should only be constrained In special circumstances. The harm caused' must be serious'. For more harm, Mill recommends only social disapproval and not the force of law. For example the playing of loud music In an apartment building should bring only social disapproval from the other residents of the building. They should not involve the police. "They should indicate their disapproval, of the Inconvenience that playing loud music has caused them, by perhaps refusing to greet the person who plays the music disregarding the harm It Is causing others. The harm that playing loud music causes Is that of preventing those In other apartments from talking, or sleeping, or listening to their own music.

Q1: Under what circumstances does the passage suggest that freedom should be constrained, and what condition is mentioned for such constraint?
Ans:

• The passage suggests that freedom should be constrained only in special circumstances.
• The condition for constraining freedom is that the harm caused must be "serious."

Q2: How does John Stuart Mill recommend addressing situations where more harm is caused, and what form of response does he advocate?
Ans:

• In cases where more harm is caused, Mill recommends using social disapproval rather than the force of law.
• For example, in situations like playing loud music in an apartment building, the response should be social disapproval from other residents, not involving the police.

Q3: What harm does the passage mention as an example in the context of playing loud music, and how should the residents indicate their disapproval?
Ans:

• The harm caused by playing loud music is preventing those in other apartments from talking, sleeping, or enjoying their own music.
• Residents should indicate their disapproval by perhaps refusing to greet the person responsible for playing loud music, emphasizing the inconvenience it causes them and their neighbors.

Passage - 5

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.

Positive liberty recognises that one can be free only In society (not outside It) and hence tries to make that society such that It enables the development of the Individual whereas negative liberty Is only concerned with the Invlolable area of non-interference and not with the conditions In society, outside this area, as such. Of course negative liberty would Ilke to expand this minimum area as much as Is possible keeping In mind, however, the stability of society. Generally, they both go together and support each other, but It can happen that tyrants Justify their rule by Invoking arguments of positive liberty.

Q1: How does positive liberty differ from negative liberty in terms of the role of society, as per the passage?
Ans:

• Positive liberty recognizes that an individual can only be free within society, emphasizing the importance of creating a society that fosters individual development.
• In contrast, negative liberty focuses solely on the inviolable area of non-interference and does not directly concern itself with the broader societal conditions outside this realm.

Q2: What is the objective of negative liberty regarding the minimum area of non-interference, and what is the limitation it considers?
Ans:

• Negative liberty seeks to expand the minimum area of non-interference as much as possible while maintaining the stability of society.
• It recognizes that there are limits to how much this area can be expanded, as the stability of society is a crucial consideration.

Q3: In what circumstances can tyrants potentially misuse the concept of positive liberty, and for what purpose, as mentioned in the passage?
Ans:

• Tyrants can justify their rule by invoking arguments of positive liberty.
• They may use the notion of positive liberty to legitimize their authority and control over individuals within society, possibly to suppress dissent and maintain their rule.