lífsfrelsi

Lífsfrelsi is an Icelandic term that can be translated as “freedom of life” or “right to life.” It is formed from the words líf, meaning life, and frelsi, meaning freedom or liberty. In Icelandic usage, the phrase appears primarily in philosophical and theoretical discussions about the value of human life, personal autonomy, and the protection of individuals from harm.

In legal and political contexts, the more common formal expression for a foundational entitlement is the right to life. Nevertheless, lífsfrelsi is used in academic and public discourse to discuss how life and liberty intersect, including questions about safety, bodily integrity, and the moral limits of state power. The concept can be invoked in debates on criminal justice, medical ethics, and human rights, where the aim is to safeguard the inherent value of life while balancing competing interests such as freedom, autonomy, and public safety.

Historically, lífsfrelsi has appeared in Icelandic writings on rights and ethics as part of broader conversations about human dignity and the protection of individuals within a society. Today it remains a framing device rather than a legally defined right, helping to articulate why life and liberty are valued as foundational elements of a just society.

See also: Right to life, Personal liberty, Human rights.