# what does the word 'liberal' really mean? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [December 24, 2012, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-word-liberal-really-mean/645054 "2012-12-24T21:11:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-word-liberal-really-mean/645054/61 "2013-01-07T00:44:44Z")
> [@wildorchid](#): > > the default meaning, and purest meaning, or definition of a word is the oldest meaning. > the meaning, or connotation of a word can change over time, but when in doubt of which definition we are going on, you default to the oldest meaning (unless the context makes it obvious)… This is the oddest assertion you have presented, yet. According to this weird claim, if we are unsure of how “intercourse” is meant, we should assume that it means conversation, “gaudy” joyful, “nice” ignorant, “manufacture” hand-crafted, and “brave” cowardice. In reality, the default meaning of a word is its most widely used meaning in the current culture at the current time. Once more, as when you twice ventured into spurious claims of the etymology of “liberal,” your claims about words and meanings are simply wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-word-liberal-really-mean/645054/62 "2013-01-07T04:33:07Z")
“Liberal” is an antonym for “Niggardly.” ---
**Author:** ![IClaudius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c37758/32.png) [@IClaudius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IClaudius)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-word-liberal-really-mean/645054/63 "2013-01-07T04:51:05Z")
Liberalism is derived from “liberty”. In philosophical terms, this is a signifier for the fact that it is individualistic and the basic unit of analysis is the individual. Thus liberal political morality has individual freedom as the paramount concern. Liberalism shares a kernel of ideas with the classical political tradition bearing the same name - chiefly, the importance of limited government, the rule of law, and private property and basic deontology. However, the modern version departs from this classic formulation by being preoccupied with a more holistic and constituent definition of freedom and capacity to exercise meaningful autonomy. It generally rejects the naive absolutist conception of inalienable natural rights, for a more contractarian conception of rights that are grounds for corresponding duties. In this sense modern liberalism is very much aware of the socially contingent nature of human beings, and the frameworks required for us exercising mental capacities. It shares in this sense certain similarities with the communitarian tradition. ---
**Author:** ![Human\_Action](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@Human\_Action](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Human_Action)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-word-liberal-really-mean/645054/64 "2013-01-07T04:55:13Z")
> [@wildorchid](#): > > how does one become a true liberal if not by the study and mastery of the liberal arts? By espousing a political philosophy, or holding a worldview, founded on ideas of liberty and equality. One’s education really doesn’t factor in at all. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-word-liberal-really-mean/645054/65 "2013-01-07T09:46:19Z")
> [@wildorchid](#): > > the default meaning, and purest meaning, or definition of a word is the oldest meaning. > the meaning, or connotation of a word can change over time, but when in doubt of which definition we are going on, you default to the oldest meaning (unless the context makes it obvious)… There’s no such thing as “the purest meaning” of a word. Words are defined by how they’re used, not their etymology ; and if the modern meaning and usage of a word is at odds with the way it was used in the past then it’s the more recent and most common acception of the word that is and should be used as its default. Awesome means “outstanding” or “spectacular”, not “inspiring paralysing terror”. Not any more. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-word-liberal-really-mean/645054.md?page=3)