Article II: On the Free

9. Definition. - Free is said of that which proceeds from the will determining itself with the power of not acting. But liberty is the faculty of acting or not acting, or the faculty of choosing one thing before another. Hence everything free is voluntary, but not conversely. See above n. 4 under 4°.

Division. - Manifold species of liberty are distinguished.

1° Liberty from necessity, or liberty

of indifference, or of election, which is immunity from every antecedent intrinsic necessity; and this is liberty properly and strictly so called.

2° Liberty from coercion, or liberty of spontaneity, which is immunity from every extrinsic violence brought upon one.

3° Liberty of contradiction, which is the faculty of bearing oneself toward contradictories, for example of studying or not studying.

4° Liberty of contrariety, by which someone can choose one thing, or the contrary of this, for example to love or to hate.

5° Liberty of specification, which is the faculty of bearing oneself toward diverse things, for example to walk, to play, etc.