Freedom

Are Liberty and Freedom synonymous? Liberty by necessity includes freedom; but freedom is not solely defined as liberty. I have been thinking about freedom in regards to our recent topics on love and marriage and was planning to cover this as a philosophical topic after the "Love and Sacrifice" post; but thought I would discuss it today.

First, what is Liberty? Most generally defined: The condition of being free from restriction or control.

What then is Freedom? Philosophically speaking, it would be defined: the power to exercise choice and make decisions without constraint from within or without; autonomy; self-determination.

From Webster's Dictionary: "Liberty & Freedom, these words, though often interchanged, are distinct in some of their applications. Liberty has reference to previous restraint; freedom, to the simple, unrepressed exercise of our powers."

A slave may not have his liberty, but he still is free to act or not act; he has freedom over his interior, his thoughts, his desires, even though he may be physically bound. Liberty necessitates freedom, but we can be free without liberty.

Freedom {as the power to exercise choice} is tied to our intelligence and as such is solely a characteristic of man. As human beings, we can choose to act or not act; however this usually means that we have been presented with the option and that we understand the implications/consequences our actions will bring.

EG: Little Adam was given a baseball for his birthday. He was told to not throw the ball in the house, but to go outdoors to play with his new gift. Adam went outside for a while to play but it was so hot he decided to return indoors. Still wanting to play with his ball, he begins to toss it around the living room. *CRASH* Mom's favorite vase falls to the floor and breaks. Adam chose to throw the ball in the house and as such consequences followed. Now, Adam is without a baseball.

Adam could have chosen to not throw the ball in the house, but he decided he would go against his parents' wishes and do it anyway. Adam knew that he was not supposed to. In order to make a choice and exercise our free will, we must understand the consequences of said action.

How would this story change if Adam were only a three year old? What if he is eighteen? Obviously, a three year old cannot possibly understand the full extent of his actions, but an eighteen year old can.

Ultimately, our free will and our intelligence lead us to desire and appreciate our liberty. Freedom {as the exercise of choice} does bear with it a responsibility; a responsibility to the good and to the truth.

What do you think?