in Journal

What is Freedom?

What is the meaning of freedom?

Wordnet says:

  • the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
  • exemption: immunity from an obligation or duty

Wikipedia has very nice explanation of Freedom, and interesting content linked to it. The article about Liberty is also interesting.

The French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau asserted that the condition of freedom was inherent to humanity, an inevitable facet of the possession of a soul and sapience, with the implication that all social interactions subsequent to birth imply a loss of freedom, voluntarily or involuntarily.

Freedom is available at various levels – freedom to do what you feel right, freedom of speech, political freedom, free software, financial/economic freedom, freedom in relationships, freedom from life and death.

Some from Houghton Mifflin; freedom means:

  • The condition of being free of restraints.
  • Liberty of the person from slavery, detention, or oppression.
  • Political independence.
  • The capacity to exercise choice; free will: We have the freedom to do as we please all afternoon.
  • A right or the power to engage in certain actions without control or interference.

Would like to end this post with a quote from Rousseau:

Man is born free but everywhere he is in chains.
The Social Contract, Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Write a Comment

Comment