Legal Definitions - natural liberty

Natural liberty refers to the inherent freedom an individual possesses to act as they choose, limited only by their own physical capabilities and the laws of nature, rather than by human-made laws or governmental restrictions. It represents the state of being free from external control or interference, existing independently of any social contract or legal system.

Here are some examples to illustrate natural liberty:

• Imagine a lone individual who discovers and settles on a previously uninhabited island, far from any established government or society. On this island, they are free to build a shelter, cultivate land, hunt for food, or explore without needing permission, adhering to any regulations, or fearing legal repercussions. Their actions are solely governed by their own will, physical limits, and the natural environment.

  This illustrates natural liberty because the individual's choices and actions are not constrained by any human-made laws, societal norms, or governmental authority. Their freedom to act is fundamental and not granted or limited by any external legal system.

• Consider a situation where a person is suddenly confronted by a dangerous wild animal in a remote wilderness area. Their immediate, instinctive reaction to flee, defend themselves, or seek safety is an exercise of natural liberty. There are no laws or regulations dictating how they must respond in that moment; their actions are driven by the fundamental urge for self-preservation.

  This example demonstrates natural liberty because the individual's right to protect their own life and well-being in such a primal situation is an inherent freedom, not a right granted or regulated by any legal system. It exists prior to and independent of any human laws concerning self-defense.

• Think about an individual's private thoughts, beliefs, or conscience. Regardless of the laws of any country, a person's internal convictions, their personal philosophy, or their religious beliefs remain fundamentally free. While laws might regulate the *expression* of these thoughts or beliefs, no government or legal system can genuinely dictate what a person *thinks* or *believes* in their mind.

  This highlights natural liberty because the freedom of internal thought and conscience is an inherent aspect of human existence that cannot be truly controlled or taken away by external human authority or legal frameworks. It is a freedom that exists independently of any societal rules.