How would you define the words "liberty" and "freedom"?

Question

Some may think that instead of debating and defining these words, we should assume that we already know, and spend our time working and fighting for the ideals that the words represent.

But it seems strange to me that armies die and civilian populations so often sacrifice for theese ideals, yet most people can't even give plain, simple definitions.

I open the discussion by roughly defining "liberty", as "freedom to do some good without doing disproportional harm in the process," defining "freedom" as simply "lack of restraint". Let somebody else tackle the job of defining "good" before or after supplying your own definitions of "liberty" and "freedom", which, of course, is the whole point of this proposed exercise.)

I think that in thinking on these things people would develop enhanced appreciation of Lincoln's comment, "The world has never arrived at a satisfactory definition of liberty."

Answer 1

Being able to do what you want as long as you don't interfere with the ability of others to do what they want.

The conditional aspect of that is very important and often forgotten by the selfish.

'Freedom' in the political sense can never mean doing whatever you want with no restrictions.

Furthermore its sad that so many people are willing to fight for and die for the concept of 'freedom' without actually exercising it. (ie - most people just blindly follow without asserting their own idividuality)

Answer 2

Liberty and freedom are labels. If they have a true definition as described by our leaders, they are unattainable at our current human evolutionary state. We strive for the unattainable and create labels such as these to appease the majority of nations. This to justify war or other goals.

The Great American Empire committed cultural genocide while it conquered its vast lands. Now we use the word of "freedom" as if it were a divine or spiritual thing to justify war throughout the world. I don't know if we are right or wrong. Right or wrong are just labels too.

So to answer your questions directly. I can't define liberty or freedom. These things are labels used by governments for political goals.

Answer 3

Do what you will as long as it does not harm the planet, people, or yourself. Roughly translated from a text in 3500 B.C.

People do what they want -- the problem is when people abandon their personal responsibly for their own thoughts and actions. Thus begin to blindly copy others, not knowing what they want or how to act without preexisting social guidelines.

Extinction was the only answer

Answer 4

Liberty in the navy is free time for rest and recreation. Freedom is nothing left to lose. ha ha

Answer 5

Liberty - Identifies the condition in which an individual has the ability to act according to his or her own will.

Freedom - the condition in which an individual has the ability to act according to his or her own will (according to uninfluenced thinking/behavior).

Answer 6

Just words. Like any words they only have the meaning that we are willing and able to give them.

Love and blessings Don

Answer 7

One word equals both " Divorce "

Answer 8

being able to do what you want without restrictions