For many the word liberal holds different meanings, for instance if one is a “liberal” it means they may be more socially “conscience” or possibly environmentally conscience; for others being a “liberal” could mean that they are those “damn” hippy, tree hugging, flower freaks! As someone steeped in a tradition of “conservatism” and having over time realized that many of my views were based in bigotry and hate being called a “liberal” elicits multiple instantaneous reactions.
My first reaction is anger; I want to beat the person doing the calling over the head until they slide down bleeding into the street. My next reaction is stupefaction; I wonder how in the heck someone who spends almost every waking minute discussing and researching the Constitution could possibly be a “liberal.” My last reaction is to go about figuring out what a “liberal” really is, and is it really a bad thing.
When in doubt check the etymology and English language definition, this is my mantra and it honestly serves quite well. Merriam Webster states that Liberal can be defined as the following, “of or befitting a man of free birth; marked by generosity; lacking moral restraint; not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or traditional forms…” (Liberal, 2009) I know that while my moral compass may be different from many others it is not lacking in restraint, so that portion does not apply. I was born free in the United States of America so that definition does apply. I am not bound by orthodoxy (religion) or do authoritarianism and traditional forms bind me so this portion also applies. Am I generous, yes and no, as a staunch objectivist I tend to be generous only with those that are deserving, i.e. directly related or with whom I know will not necessarily squander my generosity. This means that in some cases I am generous, so this definition does apply. According to the dictionary than I am a “liberal.”
Too be continued…
Comments
Liberal = Born Free in America.
Perhaps I've misunderstood this equation.Generally speaking and irrespective of country of birth ,we are each born with a genetic footprint. We have very little in the way of choice regarding our genetic makeup or it's history. So in that respect, each of us are prisoners of circumstance. One can be born with cancer ... Read Moreor a predisposition to some disease. Or you could be the baby of an incarcerated Mother. We are highly dependent on others, resulting in man being a social creature by nature.Perhaps one's personal freedom depends on the wealth or poverty of one's parents, a birth lottery.
The less wealth one has, the less freedom, more wealth more freedom. If I've picked you up wrong then please forgive me in advance. M .
Liberal means born free (period) this is based on the etymology of the word.
I like the aspect of being generous. Yet, I'm a dichotomy of generous and selfish. Does that make me a moderate?
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