[Destroyer25]

(Original post by jack070)
This is basically the same as posting the dictionary definition. In your own words maybe?

Life, liberty, equality, Democracy and Capitalism.

[Kiss]

(Original post by Destroyer25)
You don't even believe in reasonable limits? Because all Western countries have reasonable limits on rights.

No, that defeats the purpose of the word 'free'. I'm not talking purely about Western countries.

[Destroyer25]

(Original post by Kiss)
No, that defeats the purpose of the word 'free'.

How? What if your actions infringe on the freedom of others?

[Hoofle]

I suppose just being alive. I'm free to live and I feel that's enough. I'm free to live my life without any curfews and limitations that I intend on bypassing, therefore that's freedom enough.

[herbforde]

- to do as I please without restriction
- for no other human being to stop me from acting without restriction, in any conceivable sphere of human action

[Destroyer25]

(Original post by herbforde)
- to do as I please without restriction
- for no other human being to stop me from acting without restriction, in any conceivable sphere of human action

So you should be able to murder if you feel like it?

[sb123303]

Free to do whatever the hell I want, whenever I want.

Free from stress, worries etc. etc.

I imagine myself on a beach by myself whenever I think of freedom.... don't know whyyyy

[FelixFelicis]

When my actions are dictated by the choices I make.

[TheIronist]

I used to think that freedom was simply the absence of coercion but after reading some of the literature on it (which is intimidatingly extensive), I have become rather unsure about it.

General piece of advice: Do not read (especially philosophy). Remain ignorant and happy.

And yes, Socrates and Mill were wrong. Bentham ftw.

[Aesop]

Freedom is a social and historical achievement which is a result of the development of inter-recoginitional relationships between individuals. To be free is to be recognised as being free, and to recognise others as free. There is no natural capacity for free choice: free will is little more than a bourgeois illusion.

[Aleandcynicism]

I'm a big fan of John Stuart Mill's principle of liberty: the freedom to do whatever you want as long as you don't harm another without consent.

(Original post by TheIronist)
I used to think that freedom was simply the absence of coercion but after reading some of the literature on it (which is intimidatingly extensive), I have become rather unsure about it.

General piece of advice: Do not read (especially philosophy). Remain ignorant and happy.

[TheIronist]

(Original post by Aleandcynicism)
I'm a big fan of John Stuart Mill's principle of liberty: the freedom to do whatever you want as long as you don't harm another without consent.

Not serious.

Also, JS Mill's principle sounds excellent in theory (and I endorse it) but it doesn't say much about public policy. How would it apply, for example, with respect to the smoking ban?

[zcanf]

Ability to do anything available using only yourself, or others willing to take part, if a valid reason is present; this does not mean you cannot do something which will affect something else.

[Aleandcynicism]

(Original post by TheIronist)
Not serious.

Also, JS Mill's principle sounds excellent in theory (and I endorse it) but it doesn't say much about public policy. How would it apply, for example, with respect to the smoking ban?

That example comes up in so many discussions on liberty

I can't really offer a definitive answer really. I know the arguments on both sides, so I'll cowardly shy away and say it's a good rule of thumb rather than outright practical advice.

[Stéphane]

I'm from France, and to me, freedom is to be able to think in your own ways (which implies education for everyone) and to express your ideas when you feel they're relevant (which implies a lot of crap in public speech, but we already get by with this, don't we?).

I still haven't sorted out the problem of property and such, so I will leave it alone for now.

[Bukhatir]

The condition of being free of restraints.
Liberty of the person from slavery, detention, or oppression.
Political independence.
Exemption from the arbitrary exercise of authority in the performance of a specific action; civil liberty: freedom of assembly.
Exemption from an unpleasant or onerous condition: freedom from want.
The capacity to exercise choice; free will: We have the freedom to do as we please all afternoon.
Ease or facility of movement: loose sports clothing, giving the wearer freedom.
Frankness or boldness; lack of modesty or reserve: the new freedom in movies and novels.
The right of enjoying all of the privileges of membership or citizenship: the freedom of the city.
A right or the power to engage in certain actions without control or interference:

[Empire08]

The Freedom to do or say what I want without interference from the Government, so long as my actions do not affect others in a detrimental way.