Enjoying Freedom Responsibly 1.3: Intro 3

The definition of freedom is now workable, at least for the time being.  If the definition stops functioning somewhere along the line, rest assured I'll revise it and correct any mistakes that might have crept in along the way.  But, for now, freedom is solid.

Next, I focus on defining 'Responsibility.'

I learned my lesson with 'freedom.'  Merriam Webster flatly refuses to define 'responsibility' (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/responsibility) itself, and rather refers back to 'responsible'  (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/responsible).

The trouble is, I'm not satisfied with Merriam Webster's definitions.  Unlike 'freedom,' no amount of tweaking will make this drivel satisfactory.  I'll explain, point by point:

There are 2 definitions given for responsibility.  Definition 2 is a noun referring to those things one accepts as duties and/or obligations.  As I see it at the moment, that has nothing to do with the current discussion, so I'll disregard it unless it becomes important later.  There are only 2 definitions, so that leaves me with definition 1.  That being, "The quality or state of being responsible."  As with 'freedom,' this isn't helpful, so I'll move on to 'responsible.'  This is where I really began to be irritated.

All the sub-definitions of Responsible, definition 1, involve liability with the assumption of outside authority.  2.b is probably the closest to what I'm aiming for: "able to choose for oneself between right and wrong."  But there's a lot missing yet, so I keep looking.  Definition 4 is useless, since from the outset it's solely concerned with social and political ramifications of choices, and I would ultimately classify that as a direct consequence of definition 1.  Definition 3 is the one that I found really irritating: Marked by or involving responsibility or accountability.  When I saw that, I almost threw a handful of raw hulled sunflower seeds at my laptop.  Infinite see-also loops are not as helpful as the authors of that gibberish might think.

I didn't throw the seeds.  I ate them.  Sunflower seeds are good, yo.

Obviously, Merriam Webster's dictionary isn't going to be especially helpful.  I'll do a bit of looking, and a lot of thinking, and be back tomorrow with something more substantial.  See you then, orbiters!