In the American context, an ideology that consistently opposes government intervention in economic affairs and favors expansion of personal freedoms.

The view that governments role should be minimal, rarely interfering in the personal lives of private citizens.

an ideological belief in freedom of thought and speech

Philosophical perspective based on the premise that the legitimate sphere of government does not extend beyond the protection of individuals from harming one another.

Political system where laws are bounded by natural rights. Tyranny of reality. The optimal system of government. The economical state of a libertarian system is called capitalism.

A political philosophy that proclaims love of freedom and eschews force of any kind, yet claims significant numbers of Birthist Abortionites as adherents. Its basic flaw is that it is not based on love of neighbor but apathy toward neighbor and love only of self. See also FREEDOM.

Also called Indeterminism as a contrast with Determinism. Not all events (e.g., moral choices) are caused. The self is an agent with free will which transcends formed character and can act contrary to character or inclination in making moral choices. A person is free if and only if he could have acted or chosen differently. Determinism applies only to the person as observed, i.e., as empirical phenomena subject to laws, not to the self. Conscious or rational choice (act) and "being caused by x" are different things. Responsibility is possible either by acting according to inclinations that happen to be good or by acting contrary to inclinations that are not, as, e.g., in cases of moral temptation. Free will is a necessary condition of responsibility.

the doctrine of free will

The view that humans are free to make moral choices and are therefore responsible for their actions. An opposite stance to determinism.