I am working on an essay on the basics of freedom and wondered if anyone has any suggestions as to my provisional defintition of terms for such:
Right - something an individual may do or possess without seeking permission. Although rights may be violated, they cannot be taken. They are thus inalienable. Their exercise is limited by the reciprocal duty to refrain from violating the rights of others.
Natural Right - an inherent, intrinsic, inalienable and equal right in every individual limited only in its exercise as it comes up against the rights of others or as lawful punishment for seeking to violate, or actually violating, the rights of others with vicious intent.
Natural Duty - an inherent, intrinsic, inalienable and equal duty in every individual which is inseparable from Natural Rights, being reciprocal to the Natural Rights of others.
Acquired Right - Right acquired by virtue of entering into a voluntary agreement with another (or others), founded upon the natural subsidiary right of every individual to, without limit, contract about their own affairs.
Acquired Duty - Duty acquired by virtue of entering into a voluntary agreement with another (or others), founded upon the natural subsidiary right of every individual to contract about their own affairs.
Fundamental Rights - the three fundamental natural rights are held to be the right to life (person), the right to liberty and the right to own and control property. Another fundamental natural right is the right of the individual to defend their rights constantly. All of these rights are encompassed by the right to own and control property, the body being also property.
Subsidiary Rights - All those rights that have their origin in the fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, right to keep and bear arms, etc. At the most basic level, all rights are subsidiary right to the right to own and control property.
Freedom - a state in which, by virtue of the right to own and control property being secured, the exercise of Free Will may be extended into the physical world. This, when delegated to government, comprises the executive power of the same.
Free Will - the power to deliberate and make decisions. This, when delegated to government, comprises the legislative power of the same.
Privilege - Something that can be done or exercised by a trustee only when permission is given by the lawful trustor. Government is the trustee of the people (the trustors) and thus acts according to privilege.
Sovereignty - the power to exercise our Free Will and take advantage of our Freedom according to our own determination.
Natural Justice - that state whereby natural rights are respected and willful violation, or attempted violation, of the same are punished according to the severity of the transgression. No punishment whatsoever is applied where there is no vicious intent (criminal action), though restitution may apply (civil action).
Natural Law - The self-evident law of Nature/God. Those realities from which natural justice, natural rights and natural duties flow.
Thanks,
D. Andrews