Freedom is the opportunity of living one's life to its full potential.

I think the idea of freedom is complex, because all relationships in nature are, and natural language evolved in a way to be useful (if still imperfect) for discussing complex relationships.

One of the "imperfections" seems to be that nearly all people are surprised to find out that the world they see in their minds is not the same one everyone else in the world lives in... There seems to be a world we live in in common, but we do definitely refer to it through our own made up world of ideas, and each reinvent our own images of the world and its relationships. That definitely messes up the rules you can expect others to follow. So I think people who don't have an interest in that natural complication in life would generally miss a lot of what the word "freedom" means to people who are.

So, there seem to be both true and false expectations for how to live with each other, that there is a lot of natural confusion and need to be flexible about. So to me, "freedom" in a society like America means giving the benefit of the doubt as to what is right or wrong for another person, to that other person, unless you can be certain another view isn't just made up, and basically necessary to maintain the freedoms of individuals to convey.

free association...

freedom = stars and stripes + bombs

Freedom is the freedom to be free in a free country where freedom is freely given, gas and food are free, cookies are free, too; and everybody is a happy little bluebird.

"freedom is a choice of prisons."

-guy davenport

Think I put my quote in the wrong place! I will have to educate myself about what constitutes a (an?) haiku.

In any event, I assume that Janis Joplin was referring to freedom in the context of personal relationships, not in a political context. So, although I think hers is a great line, perhaps it's not relevant to this particular conversation.

Re: Laura Berger

"free to explore the diversity" ..is that actually a principle? Is there any place where this is against the law? What is the moral value in diversity just for the sake of diversity?

Freedom is to live in a land where you are free to explore the diversity around you and create on that new possibilities that enrich your life, or the freedom to remain the same and to honor personal tradition. And yet at the same time be protected from the dangerous exploits from others who are able to reduce, harm, or interfere with an indivuals well being and freedom. This would certainly be the roll of governenment.
This foundation is what has made New York City one of the greatest cities in the world for celebrating diversity, change, and protecting the vulnerable among us and maintaining the rights of individuals. And yet this city is in danger of loosing all the qualities that has made it great and unique. It is sad and dangerous.

Re: Stupid government overreach saving lives and whatnot:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_bombings_of_Hiroshima_and_Nagasaki

Re: Last night's First Principles debate...

Stupid government overreach saving lives and whatnot:
"Japan’s Strict Building Codes Saved Lives"
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/12/world/asia/12codes.html?partner=rss&emc=rss