| I use "freedom" in three main ways.
Metaphysically, I consider "freedom" to be synonymous with "free will". Here freedom cannot be denied, taken away, etc. In a metaphysical sense, freedom is an inherent property of man.
Physically, I consider "freedom" to mean "the absence of outside physical forces". This usage ties in with free will in the sense that one may wish to do something, but external forces prevent him from doing so.
Socially, I consider "freedom" to mean "the absence of outside physical forces directly caused by other human beings". Of course, what constitutes direct causation in the context of human beings may be open to debate.
- Rob |