Freedom

Okay, maybe that was hard to answer so let me put it another way; how does freedom work?

What kind of 'freedom' are you asking about? It's a matter of degree for the individual, and it doesn't matter which culture or country one lives in.

I guess what I'm trying to elucidate is if people feel "free" and to try and articulate what that is.

Freedom is the absence of government interference.

Personal freedom and government jurisdiction are INVERSELY PROPORTIONAL.





David

Freedom works by government getting the hell out of the way.





David

I suggest the word "freedom" is only used in comparative situations where selective restrictions are perceived to apply or have applied to self or others.

You didn't answer my q: we need to know what you mean by freedom before we can answer your question. There are many forms of freedoms and restrictions based on environment, government, religion, family, economics, money, food, water, jobs, rules and regulations of all kinds, and how one lives or not live in society.

That's the reason why there are no easy answers.

Well, if it is a relative term, what does it mean to you? I'm letting you guys have the chance to articulate your ideas of it. I personally am in limbo with the term. I'm hoping you guys can teach me a thing or two about it.

Okay, let's be as general or specific about the comparative situations. I guess with the broadest stroke we could apply freedom with life in general for starters.

ci is correct in pointing to contextual usage rather than general "life". See for example Maslow's hierarchy of needs where each level (physical, sexual, social etc) must be consecutively satisfied in order to "free" the individual to pursue goals at the next level.
Thus, in Western culture, where physical needs are usually easily satisfied, the word "freedom" takes on a different aspect to that of an impoverished third-worlder.

Fair enough. The term is relative. Hence, my problem with the term. Does it exist?

IMO there is no such thing as absolute freedom. At the very least we are ultimately constrained by our physiology, and more generally we are "social beings" whose actions always have repercussions on those around us. A good example of this might be "the problem" that many nouveau riche have in forming or maintaining satisfactory relationships.

It just doesn't seem logical that certain freedoms come from constraints. Am I naive to think this?

Yes; freedom comes from curtailing,
constraining and strangling the jurisdicition of government.





David