[kag0]

That's an interesting way to look at it, but I take an issue here

> How free you are is then expressed as a graph of all possible actions you may take which are not prohibited by the threat of legitimate violence

It's a good point to think in terms of possible actions you may take. But violence isn't the only thing that can prune that graph.

Say I come across an orchard surrounded by an [unclimbable] fence. I want to eat some fruit in the orchard, but cannot because of the fence. There is no violence I face that prevents my action, and no violence I can level to take the action. Yet my action is prohibited by another, and thus my freedom limited.

[thegrimmest]

That's exactly my point though. The only pruning of the graph which counts against your freedom is that which is done with the threat of legitimate violence. You are still free in spite of the fact that you cannot access said orchard. It's simply beyond your capabilities, much like you are still free despite lacking wings to fly over the barrier.

Who erected the barrier is not relevant here. What if the barrier was a circumstance of nature? An orchard on a plateau surrounded by unclimbable cliffs?

[mcguire]

"The idea of freedom is inspiring. But what does it mean? If you are free in a political sense but have no food, what's that? The freedom to starve?" -- Angela Y. Davis

[thegrimmest]

"We, too, born to freedom, and believing in freedom, are willing to fight to maintain freedom. We, and all others who believe as deeply as we do, would rather die on our feet than live on our knees."

- Franklin Delano Roosevelt

[kag0]

I would say that the only pruning of the graph which matters is that which is done by your fellows.

An orchard atop a cliff presents an equal challenge to all. Some might have the ability and desire to scale it, some not.

What is the difference between a fence around an orchard and a threat of insurmountable violence if you enter the orchard? Either way it is someone else restricting your freedom, while they retain that same freedom for themselves.