Liberty is the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one’s way of life, behavior, or political views.
In theology, liberty is freedom from the effects of "sin, spiritual servitude, [or] worldly ties".
In economics, liberty means free, fair, and open competition, often referred to as a free market.
Sometimes liberty is differentiated from freedom by using the word "freedom" primarily, if not exclusively, to mean the ability to do as one wills and what one has the power to do; and using the word "liberty" to mean the absence of arbitrary restraints, taking into account the rights of all involved. In this sense, the exercise of liberty is subject to capability and limited by the rights of others. Thus liberty entails the responsible use of freedom under the rule of law without depriving anyone else of their freedom. Liberty can be taken away as a form of punishment. In many countries, people can be deprived of their liberty if they are convicted of criminal acts.
Liberty originates from the Latin word libertas, derived from the name of the goddess Libertas, who, along with more modern personifications, is often used to portray the concept, and the archaic Roman god Liber. The word "liberty" is often used in slogans, such as in "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness" and "Liberté, égalité, fraternité".
Philosophers from the earliest times have considered the question of liberty. Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (121–180 AD) wrote:
a polity in which there is the same law for all, a polity administered with regard to equal rights and equal freedom of speech, and the idea of a kingly government which respects most of all the freedom of the governed.
According to compatibilist Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679):
a free man is he that in those things which by his strength and wit he is able to do is not hindered to do what he hath the will to do.
John Locke (1632–1704) rejected that definition of liberty. While not specifically mentioning Hobbes, he attacks Sir Robert Filmer who had the same definition.
