Final answer:
Criticisms of reducing desire to form freedom focus on the illusion of free will, the societal conditioning that impacts personal desires, and potential governmental abuses of power under the precept of protection. The debate also touches on the Harm Principle and contrasting views presented by Hard Determinism and libertarianism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Criticisms of reducing desire to form freedom can be found in philosophical debates around the concept of free will and liberty. One such criticism is that complete freedom, or the state of being unbound by any form of restraint, is an illusion since all individuals are subject to some form of conditioning by society. This argument suggests that what we consider as personal desires are actually the product of external influences and conditioning, thus challenging the traditional understanding of free will.
Another point of criticism comes from the Harm Principle, which posits that freedom allows for experimentation and open dialogue that help folks weed out dangerous ideas. However, freedom can also lead to negative outcomes such as tension, stress, and competition. Furthermore, it is argued that governments may restrict freedoms under the guise of protecting citizens, potentially leading to an abuse of power for their benefit.
The philosophical stance of Hard Determinism argues that freedom of the will is non-existent and that beliefs in freedom are outdated, hindering the progress in areas like criminal reformation. In contrast, proponents of libertarianism argue for freedom as the power to do what one desires, aligning with the idea that freedom is not just the ability to do otherwise, but the ability to act upon genuine personal volitions.