"What is freedom? Freedom is the right to choose: the right to create for oneself the alternatives of choice"

Archibald MacLeish's quote, "What is liberty? Flexibility is the right to select: the right to develop for oneself the alternatives of choice", encapsulates a profound understanding of the principle of freedom that extends beyond simple physical or external manifestations. It digs deeper into the intrinsic nature of autonomy and self-determination.

At its core, the quote highlights the essence of freedom as not merely the capacity to make choices, however notably, the ability to produce those choices oneself. This suggests that real freedom lies in the empowerment and agency required to shape one's own path. It is not enough to be provided with alternatives; being part of the process that produces these options is vital. This idea promotes an active, instead of passive, engagement with life.

By stressing the creation of "options of option", MacLeish highlights the vibrant aspect of flexibility. It is not a fixed state of being however a continuous procedure of deliberation and decision-making. This process is naturally innovative, including imagination and vital thinking. It suggests that freedom has to do with broadening possibilities, about innovating methods to live and reveal oneself.

Additionally, this viewpoint on liberty integrates individual duty. If one is to produce one's own alternatives, it includes accountability for the options made. It emphasizes self-reliance and moral self-reliance. This aligns with existentialist viewpoints, which argue that individuals need to define their own presence and values amidst the lacks of preordained standards.

In a wider sense, MacLeish's view of liberty can also be viewed as a review of systems that restrict individual company. By concentrating on the right to develop alternatives, the quote implicitly challenges social, political, and cultural restrictions that prevent people from checking out and broadening their potential.

Overall, the quote presents liberty as an active concept of individual empowerment, imagination, and responsibility, urging individuals not only to accept their right to select however also to be the architects of the choices they face.