expression, noun
freedom of thought
A fixed legal and philosophical term referring to the right to hold personal beliefs without interference.
憲法は思想の自由を保障している。
The constitution guarantees freedom of thought.
A compound of 思想 (thought) + の (possessive particle) + 自由 (freedom). The phrase is a direct translation of the Western concept 'freedom of thought' and became common in legal and philosophical contexts during the modernization of Japan.