Freedom

Freedom is central to capitalism, but what is Freedom? Dictionary.com defines it as:

1. The condition of being free of restraints.
2. Liberty of the person from slavery, detention, or oppression.
3. Political independence.
4. Exemption from the arbitrary exercise of authority in the performance of a specific action; civil liberty: freedom of assembly.
5. Exemption from an unpleasant or onerous condition: freedom from want.
6. The capacity to exercise choice; free will: We have the freedom to do as we please all afternoon.
7. Ease or facility of movement: loose sports clothing, giving the wearer freedom.
8. Frankness or boldness; lack of modesty or reserve: the new freedom in movies and novels.
9. The right to unrestricted use; full access: was given the freedom of their research facilities.
10. The right of enjoying all of the privileges of membership or citizenship: the freedom of the city.
11. A right or the power to engage in certain actions without control or interference: “the seductive freedoms and excesses of the picaresque form” (John W. Aldridge)

All of these specific definitions seem to be very good at summing up the meaning of the word. However, I believe that number six is possibly the most useful of them all “The capacity to exercise choice; free will” All of the other definitions seem to be covered within this except perhaps for number seven, however, this isn’t about the freedom of the individual, and maybe this should be what we are trying to define. So there it is, the capacity to exercise choice. It was suggested to me recently that freedom is a state of mind, not something that is defined by the laws of a country; indeed, this has its philosophical backing from Dr Victor Frankl. He came to this conclusion while he was subjected to the cruelest conditions under the Nazis in a concentration camp, he realized that his freedom could not be taken away as it was in his mind, what had been removed was his liberty. However, in this situation Dr Frankl used what he called the most important freedom of them all, the freedom determine ones own attitude and spiritual well being. In this case I believe that he is correct, however, this is the worst-case scenario, the most important freedom can never be taken away, but that does not mean that we cannot be oppressed and enslaved. So should we really separate freedom and liberty?

I do not believe that any form of freedom should be surrendered, even with the knowledge that our ultimate freedom, the freedom to determine our own attitude is not at risk, our liberty is most definitely at risk, and it is that which needs defending, Our capacity to exercise choice.