"Freedom" is probably one of the most used—and misused—words by politicians of all stripes.  If anything, "freedom" is probably used more by statist politicians, the destroyers of freedom, than anyone else.  Tyrants have almost always sold their tyranny to its victims in the name of "freedom."

What is freedom and do you have a right to it?  If you do, why?

Before proceeding farther, take a moment to write down your answer to these questions.   What is freedom?  Do you have a right to it?  If so, why?

Your definition of freedom should be confined to one, brief sentence.  If you claim you have a right to freedom, your answer should be restricted to a single sentence—no more.

Remember, that the purpose of a definition is to provide a concept with identity, to distinguish that concept from all others.  A definition should clearly set apart that aspect of reality to which a concept refers from all other aspects of reality.  Your definition of freedom should make its meaning real.

This may seem like a schoolhouse exercise, but give it a try.  Write down your answer, then go to the remainder of this article.  You will find it instructive.   And it will provide you with a clue about why freedom has been on the defensive for all of the 20^th century.

GO TO THE REMAINDER OF THIS ARTICLE

Fulton Huxtable
May 31, 1998

© Copyright 1998 Fulton Huxtable