Positive Definition and 987 Threads

Positive liberty is the possession of the capacity to act upon one's free will, as opposed to negative liberty, which is freedom from external restraint on one's actions. A concept of positive liberty may also include freedom from internal constraints.The concepts of structure and agency are central to the concept of positive liberty because in order to be free, a person should be free from inhibitions of the social structure in carrying out their free will. Structurally, classism, sexism, ageism, ableism and racism can inhibit a person's freedom. As positive liberty is primarily concerned with the possession of sociological agency, it is enhanced by the ability of citizens to participate in government and have their voices, interests, and concerns recognized and acted upon.
Isaiah Berlin's essay "Two Concepts of Liberty" (1958) is typically acknowledged as the first to explicitly draw the distinction between positive and negative liberty.

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  1. J

    Simplify and express with positive indices

    Ok, so I have this Expression, (6x+2 x 42x-4 x 35-x x 2x-6)/(124x+3 x 92x-3) But it needs to be simplifyed, and expressed with positive indices. Now as far as my knowledge takes me, this can't be simplifyed, but then I am probably wrong. If anybody could help to solve, that would be great.
  2. J

    Simplify and express with positive indices, a little help?

    Simplify and express with positive indices, a little help? I am no good at these, can anyone show me how to work these out? (18x3 X 2x-4)/(4x-5 X 6x) 83sqrt(p12 q-8) X 34sqrt(p-10 q9) and (6x+2 X 42x-4 X 35-x X 2x-6)/(124x+3 X 92x-3) ps. The Capital X's are multiplication signs
  3. S

    Exploring possibilities of positive foil for stripping electrons

    Hello, I'm thinking of some alternative ways of accelerating particles. I know that it's quite common to have accelerated particles pass along a positively charged foil which strips the electrons of the particles and reverses the particle's polarity. Is there a way to do the opposite? I.e...
  4. S

    Mathematica Taking only the positive sqrt in Mathematica

    As my title says, I need to take only the positive square root of some evaluation. For my calculation, the negative square root is extraneous. What I do is a normalization of a wave function: J = Integrate[Psi[x]^2, {x, 0, a}] sol = Solve[J == 1, A] A /. sol My only problem is those...
  5. T

    Find Range of k for Two Positive Roots of Equation

    Homework Statement Find the range of the number k so that the equation 100^x-10^(x+1)+k=0 has two distinct positive roots Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I know if it says for two distinct roots only , k<25 but now its two distinct POSITIVE roots , so how ?
  6. L

    Second derivative test when Hessian is Positive Semi-Definite

    Can someone tell me what this actually is. So, in the case when the Hessian is positive (or negative) semidefinite, the second derivative test is inconclusive. However, I think I've read that even in the case where the Hessian is positive semidefinite at a stationary point x, we can still...
  7. C

    Diffrence between negative accelaration and positive decelaration?

    Hi, I have the following question. What is: A. Positive accelaration. B. Negative accelaration. C. Positive decelaration. D. Negative decelaration. If I am not wrong then: A is just getting faster. B is getting slower(Not sure about that) C is just getting slower. D is going...
  8. K

    Why do positive and negative charges attract?

    These questions, being so basic, were harder to find answers to on the forums (or elsewhere). At least, it was harder to find an answer that satisfied my curiosity. I need a DEEPER, simpler, and more logical understanding of these concepts.: What does it mean for a particle to have a positive or...
  9. K

    Smallest positive irrational number

    Homework Statement Prove that there is no smallest positive irrational number Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I have no idea how to do this, please help walk me through it.
  10. W

    Component vectors positive or negative and angles positive or negative

    Homework Statement A cruise ship leaving port, travels 50.0 km 45.0 degrees north of west and then 70.0 km 30 degrees north of east. Find a. The ship's displacement vector (the answer is Rx=25.3 km, Ry=70.4) b. The displacement vector's magnitude and direction...
  11. B

    Positive Measure: Measure of Sets with Positive Function Value

    Homework Statement Suppose that if k is a measurable function and {x : k(x) > 0} has a positive measure, then {x : k(x) >= p} has positive measure for some p > 0 Homework Equations Lebesgue measureThe Attempt at a Solution What is positive measure? is it just another word for measurable? Can I...
  12. P

    For each positive integer n, let T(n) be the number of triangles with

    Homework Statement For each positive integer n, let T(n) be the number of triangles with integer side lengths, positive area, and perimeter n. For example, T(6) = 1 since the only such triangle with a perimeter of 6 has side lengths 2, 2 and 2. (a) Determine the values of T(10), T(11) and...
  13. N

    Electric field between positive planes

    Homework Statement I'm looking at a problem where we have to draw the field lines above between and below two parallel planes going to infinity. Separated by distance D, both having equal positive surface charge density. 2. The attempt at a solution I know that there will be perpendicular...
  14. T

    What Is the Maximum Number of Vectors with Non-Positive Inner Products in R^n?

    1. Suppose v_1, v_2, . . . v_k are non-zero vectors is R^n such that (v_i,v_j)<= 0 for all i,j. Determine, with proof, the maximal possible k for n = 3, and also for arbitrary n. 2. A is 2x2, A(1,1)=A(2,2)=x-1, A(1,2)=1, A(2,1)=0. Find invertible P,Q such that P*A*Q is diagonal. I tried...
  15. J

    Sequence of definite positive matrices

    hello, if i have a sequence of definite positive matrices that converges, is it always that the limit matrix is always a definite positive matrix? if it's true, can someone please tell me why or link me to some proof? thank you.
  16. FeDeX_LaTeX

    Positive Hydrogen Ion = Proton?

    Hello; Is this statement true? A hydrogen positive ion would have no electrons, and pure hydrogen itself has no neutrons. Therefore, would it simply be a proton? Thanks.
  17. N

    Can Leading Principle Minors Determine Zero Elements in PSD Matrices?

    Hi everyone, This is related to my previous https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=392069" Let A=(a_{ij}) be a symmetric (i.e., over reals) PSD matrix with the following conditions on Leading Principle Minors (determinant of the submatrix consisting of first i rows and i...
  18. N

    Is a Zero Principal Minor in PSD Matrices Indicative of Smaller Zero Minors?

    Hi everyone, Let A=(a_{ij}) be a symmetric (i.e., over reals) PSD matrix. Then is the following correct? "If any principle minor ( \ne A ) be zero, then all principle minor contained in this minor should also be zero". I can not prove or disprove it..any help? By the way how...
  19. L

    What is the role of positive and negative controls in an experiment?

    Homework Statement Could anyone explain to me what exactly is positive and negative control in an experiment? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution
  20. D

    Carnot efficiency: is heat always positive?

    This is a very quick question but in the equation e=1-Q_{C}/Q_{H} do we treat both Q's as positive even though heat goes in in one case and out in the other? Or is there some detail I'm missing that would otherwise make the result less than 1.
  21. E

    Newton's Method- finding only positive zeros

    I have a situation where I am using Newton's Method to solve a highly nonlinear, non-analytic equation with both positive and negative zeros. My situation requires that only positive zeros be found. Does anyone know any extensions to NM to restrict the solutions to greater than zero? Thanks.
  22. L

    Why S, T and U Must Be Positive in Mandelstam Variables

    Hi, Srednicki says in Ch20, we must remember that the mandelstam variable s is positive. However s is defined as s=-(k_1+k_2)^2=(E_1+E_2)^2-(\vec{k_1+k_2}).(\vec{k_1+k_2}) . Using metric (-+++). I can't quite see why this must be always positive? or why for that matter t and u are negative...
  23. FeDeX_LaTeX

    The Answer: Why Is Hydrogen Positive?

    "Hydrogen Is Positive" Hello; My physics teacher said that hydrogen was positive. But, I don't understand why this is true. I thought hydrogen, like any other element, was electrically neutral (because it has 1 proton and 1 electron). So why is it positive? Thanks.
  24. N

    Does Positive Feedback in Op-Amps Prevent Immediate Saturation?

    I'm just wondering, if an op-amp is connected in a positive feedback configuration, should the output not saturate immediately? Here is an example circuit i made in pspice along with its input/output curve (V12 has amp of 3v). http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/1286/posfeedback.png As...
  25. W

    Positive definite quadratic forms proof

    Homework Statement Given a real symmetric matrix A, prove that: a) A is positive definite if and only if A = (B^T)B for some real invertible matrix B b) A is positive semidefinite if and only if there exists a (possibly singular) real matrix Q such that A = (Q^T)Q Homework Equations...
  26. T

    Positive charge of NAD+ molecule

    Why is the positive charge of the NAD+ molecule located on the nitrogen in the nicotinamide group? This nitrogen has 4 bonds attached to it, but nitrogen only has 3 holes in its valence shell, so wouldn't this make a negative charge on this nitrogen?
  27. B

    Square roots of positive numbers

    Homework Statement If a and b are positive real numbers, and \lambda^{2} = ab, then \lambda = \pm \sqrt{ab}. Homework Equations None. The Attempt at a Solution This is more of a conceptual question that has always escaped me. I do not understand how the square root of two...
  28. J

    Does an absence of a negative indicate a positive?

    One time me and a friend were having a debate over skill on certain activities. I said to him, "I'm not bad at basketball, but I'm not good at it either." He began to explain to me that the statement was illogical and that I "either had to be good or bad" Do you think its correct to assume that...
  29. N

    The Concept of Work in Electric Fields

    What is the difference between positive work and negative work? Because the definition of work is the dot product of the force and displacement vectors, I can see that work is negative when the force acts in the "opposite" direction of the displacement. Also, I see that W = -(delta)PE. I ask...
  30. P

    Positive and negative electrical terminals

    I am slightly confused as to why some circuits are drawn with a positive input terminal and a negative input terminal, whilst others are just drawn with a positive terminal and a ground (OV) terminal. What is the difference between ground and negative? Does negative indicate an excess of...
  31. K

    Does g'Bg Compare with g'g When B is a Positive Definite Matrix?

    I am curious to know how g'Bg compares with g'g when B is a positive definite matrix and g is a vector. Is g'Bg >= g'g ? Thanks, Karthik
  32. V

    Gas Laser: Stimulated Emission and Positive Ions

    In a gas laser, an electron in the highest energy state absorbs photon for stimulated emission to occur, but now since it has more energy than its highest state, shouldn't it escape the atom and the active medium be left only with positive ions?
  33. M

    How do I determine if the flux is positive or negative?

    Hi I have an assignment due tomorrow, and have answered all the questions, I am just unsure about positive or negative flux I know 5b) is positive, I think 6 is positive, and I'm guessing the other two are positive, but can anyone confirm? And if I did get the sign wrong, would I have to...
  34. M

    The vector -5.2 has a magnitude of 32 and points in the positive direction.?

    Find the x component of the vector A? Find the magnitude of the vector A? Please also explain your work too thanks in advance
  35. J

    What happens to the neutral sphere when grounded?

    Sphere A corries a net positive charge, and sphere B is nuetral. They are placed near each other on an insulated table. Sphere B is briefly touched with a wire that is grounded. What would happen to the neutral sphere? I know it woul become a neg charged but i don't know what happens when its...
  36. G

    Inverting op amp with positive input NOT grounded

    For an inverting op amp with the positive input grounded, the equation for V(out) is (Vin)*Rf/Rin. Thats fine But what if the positive input is not grounded? What if there is a voltage applied to that input as well? How would I find V(out) when the positive input voltage is larger than the...
  37. B

    Converging to Infinity: Solving the Limit of n!²/(2n)!

    Homework Statement Find the limit of the given sequence as n -> inf. ((n!)^2)/(2n)! Homework Equations We have been told that the squeeze theorem may be helpful. The Attempt at a Solution Using the squeeze theorem, I get stuck. I tried factoring some things out, and seem...
  38. Loren Booda

    What is the most positive economic effect of altruism worldwide?

    We can name many negative consequences from greed upon our global financial system. What, however, would you say is the most positive economic effect of altruism worldwide?
  39. J

    Quick question about positive beta decay and mass defect?

    Hi, I was wondering about something in my notes that I don't quite understand. In positive beta decay in nuclear physics, we have a proton becoming a neutron and kicking out a positron and an electron neutrino (which is assumed massless here). In the expression for the energy released, Q =...
  40. M

    Can Gravity Bend Time in the Opposite Direction?

    Hi, this is my first post.. It was something i was thinking about when laying in bed last night about to drift off. since spacetime is a "plane" where by mass directly effects the curvature, and in doing so, also effects our concept of time. Let's assume that the curvature of spacetime in a...
  41. S

    Proving Positive Integral using Sums

    Homework Statement Prove that the integral from 0 to x of (sin t)/(t + 1) dt > 0. (Sorry I don't know how to use the integral latex.)Homework Equations We have only learned about lower and upper sums, and how the integral is equal to the supremum of lower sums and the infimum of upper sums when...
  42. S

    When is friction and weight parallel positive and negative?

    Homework Statement When writing Fnet=ma you are supposed to list the forces in Fnet -Ffriction + Weightparallel= ma how do you know when to put the negative or positve sign in front of the values? like on inclines and horizontal surfaces Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution
  43. D

    Given positive interger N, now many non-decreasing sequences of length

    Given positive interger N, now many non-decreasing sequences of length N are there whose entries are less than N?
  44. X

    Find all solutions in positive integers

    Find all solutions in positive integers a; b; c to the equation a!b! = a! + b! + c! I have rearranged and got (a!-1)(b!-1) = c!+1 And the only solutions I can find are a=3 b=3 c=4 but I can't be sure that they are the only ones. How would I go about finding other solutions? I have...
  45. E

    Negative to a Positive Gravitational Force

    I am with an aircraft squadron and we have a conditional inspection for aircraft that pull an excessive amount of "G's". The inspection is to check significant parts of the aircraft that might crack or buckle under certain amounts of stress. There is an arguemt in the shop about going from a...
  46. M

    Always positive function with regression

    I'm attempting to solve a multiple regression. My problem is that I want the resultant function to be always positive. I need a regression of the machining cutting force for several values of cutting parameters (cutting speed, depth of cut, ...). The cutting force has to be always positive...
  47. G

    Solve Negative/Positive Homework: Momentum-Impulse Theorem

    Homework Statement Suppose a 6.00g bullet traveling at 100m/s strikes a bulletproof vest and comes to rest in about 600microseconds. What average force will it impart to the happy wearer? Homework Equations Use the Momentum-Impulse Theorem I took the initial direction of the bullet as...
  48. O

    Schrodinger Eq. & Energies: Are Values Always Positive?

    just a question about the energies associted wuth the schrodinger equation> are the energy values always positive values. I thought that since when the eigenfunctions exist the particle is in a bound state, that the energy should be less than that required to escape a bound state and should be...
  49. B

    Positive non self adjoint operator?

    Homework Statement Find an operator T on F^2 such that <T(v),v> is greater than or equal to 0 for all v in F^2, but T is not self-adjoint Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I am trying to to find examples where <T(v),v>=0 where the operator is not 0
  50. LCKurtz

    1 is the largest positive integer

    Proof: N2 > N rules out all the others. :-p
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