Three Words that Mean Freedom

In Western civilization the words freedom and liberty are used interchangeably. As Mortimer Adler put it, "Though authors or translators sometimes prefer one, sometimes the other, their preference does not seem to reflect a variation in meaning." Both words translate to the same word in Spanish (libertad) and French (liberté), for example.

Various meanings of "freedom" include:

·       Autonomy

·       Lack of restrictions

·       Self-determination

·       Choice

·       Free will

·       Sovereignty

Compare the several meanings of "liberty":

·       Autonomy

·       Emancipation

·       Liberation

·       Authority

·       Right

Adler wrote: "The word 'independence' has special connotations which make it equivalent to only part of the meaning of 'freedom' or 'liberty.' Negatively, independence is a freedom from limitation or from being subject to determination by another. Positively, independence implies self-sufficiency and adequate power."

Independence translates as its own word, not the same as liberty and freedom. It shares some meanings with freedom and liberty:

·       Autonomy

·       Self-determination

·       Sovereignty

Independence also has some distinct meanings such as the following:

·       Self-sufficiency

·       Self-reliance

·       Individualism

·       Impartiality

·       Objectivity

·       Uniqueness

These distinctive meanings of independence can teach us much about freedom and liberty. If we want to be free, we need to develop such individual and cultural traits as self-sufficiency, self-reliance, individualism, impartiality, objectivity and uniqueness. Self-reliance naturally elicits connotations of initiative, innovation, ingenuity, resiliency and tenacity. 

Freedom and liberty are primary goals in their own right, and they are also means to the synergistically and mutually-reinforcing goals of individual, family, community national and societal independence.