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That is a very narrow definition of freedom. For a simple example of freedom being taken away without state involvement: a person who (illegally) locks up anoth
by Fargren 6y ago
That is a very narrow definition of freedom. For a simple example of freedom being taken away without state involvement: a person who (illegally) locks up another person is absolutely taking away another person's freedom.
This idea that only freedom from the state counts is very pernicious, and it's at the root of the inordinate power corporations have in today's world.
Freedom is the ability to do what you want. Any conditions that don't let you do what you want are restraints on your freedom, even if they are being enforced by a private company.
- amanaplanacanal 6y agoI wish somebody would give me millions of dollars. Until then my freedom to do what I want is being infringed. This isn’t a very useful argument when balancing the rights of multiple entities in society though.
- Fargren 6y agoI'll concede that defining freedom is a thorny subject, and there are limitations to the definition a I proposed. But I think that any definition of freedom that doesn't accept that private individuals can (and constantly do) limit each other's freedom regardless of the state is just as flawed.