TY - JOUR A1 - Hillery et al., George A. T1 - Toward a Sociology of Freedom JF - Social Forces, Vol. 55, No. 3 (Mar. 1977), pp. 685-700. N2 - Few sociologists have investigated, systematically and empirically, the concept of freedom, as such. In this paper, freedom is explored as it is viewed and experienced by people rather than as a philosophical construct. Three dimensions of freedom are identified: ego, discipline, and conditional. These types of freedom are examined in six types of groups and in relation to feelings of loss of freedom. Finally, we approach a theory of freedom, its dimensions, and the manner in which it is experienced by actors. Y1 - 1977 ER -