[Barry the Sprout]

Just a nice little philosophical question really. What is liberty? how would you define liberty? Is it just the ability to do things, or is it the ability to control your life? They aren't the same concept, after all. Or is liberty, for you, simply the abscence of physical coercion by other people?

Also, is liberty a good thing? In general and in all circumstances. If it is a good thing then why is it a good thing? Is it good simply because it is - i.e. in the same way happiness is a good thing, it is just defined as good. Or is it good because it leads to other things which in themselves are good - i.e. is it good because it leads to the development of the mind, or security, etc.

This isn't intended to attack any position, I just want to see if we can get some kind of discussion on this going. Might be interesting, you never know.