一、引言:个人自由的重要性个人自由(individual freedom)在现代自由民主社会中具有神圣地位。我出生于华人社会,那里有着迥异的观念:对父母、老师、权威和长者的顺从更有优越性,这基本上是无可争议的。任何偏离标准的行为不仅是愚蠢的、注定要以眼泪收场的,而且是在道德上有过失的,应立刻受到惩罚。当我的父亲——也是一个奥林匹克体操教练,说:“跳!”我就跳了——真的!在我八岁的一天,我 I. INTRODUCTION: THE IMPORTANCE OF INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM Individual freedoms have the status of sacred in modern free and democratic society. I was born in a Chinese community where there is a very different concept: there is more to the obedience of parents, teachers, authorities and elders, which is largely incontrovertible. Any deviation from the standard is not only stupid, destined to end in tears, but also morally wrong and should be punished immediately. When my dad - and also an Olympic gymnast coach - said: “Jump!” I just jumped - Really! On my eight year old day, I