Paul Schofield teaches philosophy at Bates College in Maine.
Homelessness is often thought of either as an issue of individual moral failings or merely of bad policy. It should instead be seen as a moral crisis for our democracy, one that demands transformative economic reforms.
Since the 17th century, our understanding of choice has undergone profound transformations. In the neoliberal era, an especially individualistic, market-oriented idea of freedom has come to dominate more and more of our existence.
Promoting meaningful freedom to people suffering from mental illness or substance abuse requires going beyond simple questions of individual choice.
Liberals and socialists typically see themselves as foes. But truly realizing liberal ideals of freedom and equality means building a socialist order — a lesson liberals and socialists alike would do well to remember.