Defining Freedom - Definition By Experience

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Defining Freedom - Definition By Experience

“Freedom” is a very difficult term to define with a short, simple statement. It is loaded with so much meaning because every person has a different set of personal experiences and ideas that can apply to their own concept of what experiencing freedom is all about. In defining freedom, it is best to start with a wide array of different ideas and put them together to create one major explanation that encompasses all the ideas. The Oxford English Dictionary offers several short definitions that can be used to build one ultimate definition. The first offered is “Exemption or release from slavery or imprisonment; personal liberty.” This definition only relates to someone who is or was in complete bondage, so it can not be a full definition of freedom. Another definition offered is “Exemption from arbitrary, despotic, or autocratic control; independence; civil liberty.” This is a slightly wider definition of freedom because almost every person has at one time or another ! be! en subject to a ruler or authority figure. These people have more independence than a slave might have, but they still must follow certain rules and limitations. The widest definition The Oxford English Dictionary offers is as follows: “The state of being able to act without hindrance or restraint, liberty of action.” While some might think this definition is too extreme, it seems to offer the best idea of what freedom really is because almost anyone can feel this type of freedom within their lifetime.

One may have noticed that each of these definitions put forth by The Oxford English Dictionary include a type of liberty as part of the definition. These three, “personal liberty,” “civil liberty,” and “liberty of...

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...Why then was this forbid? Why but to awe,/ Why but to keep ye low and ignorant” (1949). Although Eve is persuaded by the serpent, she does eventually make the choice to eat and she ! al! so convinces Adam to eat the fruit as well. Liberty of action gives Adam and Eve the ability to choose to disobey.

In all the of the Renaissance texts explored in this essay, freedom is an common theme. Freedom to think, act, and make choices is what moves each story along. Without free will, the characters would not be able to explore their own faith, choose their own friends or mate, vote for their leader, or make those everyday decisions humans hardly think twice about. Freedom is so very hard to define. But, with experience, anyone will be able to form their own idea of what freedom is. And he or she will be exercising their liberty of action with developing that very idea.

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