Revised with New Preface and Conclusion: A rights framework rooted in the human condition and the limits of legitimate authority. It treats rights as assertions that must be defined, bounded, and defended against benevolent overreach.

This is freedom – the source of liberty. The absolute, unrestricted act of thought that finds its expression in every single human being. It does not find its source in government or society, by document or decree. It occurs without leave or permission from any or all. It is inherent in every human, by nature of our existence. It cannot be denied or refused; it is inalienable. The absolute freedom exists as long as we exist.

If we own the thought and the action that expresses that thought, then we own the consequences of those actions. You cannot separate the act from its consequences any more than the action from the thought. This ownership is the essence of individuality.

We cannot give someone else the responsibility to express our fundamental thoughts and actions any more than we can give someone the responsibility for the consequences of our acts. We own the need to express thoughts, the need to protect our ability to do so and the consequences from having done so.

We do not have the freedom to act because others have give us that freedom, but because we assert the need to act and must do so regardless or in spite of any act or belief of others.