by RW MacAlisdair

Created on: January 31, 2010

I'm all for freedom and every liberty that nature intended. These two terms are really the conflict in this public smoking dispute. Smokers will say that they should have the liberty to smoke in public places. Non-smokers will say that we should have the freedom to breathe clean air.

What is the difference between freedom and liberty? These terms are synonymous in a thesaurus but etymologically they have very separate meanings. LIBERTY originated in the Latin languages as 'libertas': the independence of individuals. FREEDOM is rooted in the Germanic languages as 'feiheit:', the right to experience the privileges of belonging to a group.  Latin cultures had an expression for liberty but none for freedom. Conversely, Germanic cultures had this expression for freedom but no concept of liberty.

An advantage of being born and living in an English speaking culture is that we have co-opted both words and can express and value their full meaning. English has spread these two great values to most of the known world. Their divergent origins, that of being independent while retaining the right to belong can be the spring of great celebration as well as the drain of tremendous conflict.

Is smoking in public an "independent" natural right or is it governed by the "privilege to belong"? The smoker is thinking more of the right of independence (liberty) while non-smokers key on the right to belong (freedom to live) when claiming the right to healthy air. Which side wins, Liberty or Freedom?

In a democratic society, when there is a conflict between these two concepts we have a process called voting to decide where the public will be compelled to stand. In human history, these controversies would precipitate drawing swords to decide this issue. While being able to vote rather than kill each other is an advantage, an alternative is to take advantage of the balancing concepts of liberty and freedom and merely choose to respect both. Smokers will respect a non-smokers right to breath healthy air. Non-smokers will be tolerant of a smoker's autonomy by respectfully asking the smoker to exercise their right in a non-invasive manner.

A lack of respect and responsibility have always bred two things: Chaos and Lawyers.  More laws will only erode both liberty and freedom. True Freedom is spread when we all decide to be responsible and respect everyone as a group!  True Liberty is earned when each one of us decides to individually be responsible and respect each other!

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