Final answer:
Civil liberty, as understood by Sir William Blackstone, includes the freedom to act without undo restraint and the right to privacy, under the rule of laws designed to protect individual property and freedom against government overreach. It embodies both natural law and the limits of governmental power established to ensure individual safety and tranquility.
Step-by-step explanation:
Civil Liberty According to Sir William Blackstone
According to Sir William Blackstone, civil liberty, rightly understood, consists in the freedom of individuals to act without unauthorized restraint while also having the protections of laws that are designed to secure their property and shield them from unrestrained government control and abuse. John Locke's philosophy reinforces this by highlighting the transition from a state of nature to a civil society where property is protected through law. Furthermore, civil liberty includes the right to privacy and the assurance that government action is limited so that one person need not fear another, promoting a sense of tranquility and safety. The British constitution after the English Revolution aimed to secure such liberties as an inherent right of all British subjects.
It is clear, then, that civil liberty intertwines legal and philosophical notions to ensure that individuals can pursue life, liberty, and happiness without fear of tyranny. Blackstone's view, as well as Locke's and other Founders', acknowledges the necessity of government to enforce laws and maintain order, but also emphasizes the limitations on government power to preserve individual freedom. This concept is enshrined in modern governments, such as the US Constitution's Bill of Rights, which enumerates specific civil liberties while allowing for certain government-imposed limits for the sake of communal well-being.