A few weeks ago Graeme Codrington published a post on ‘Thoughts on the Tyranny of Freedom‘. I must confess I haven’t read it yet because I’ve been working through my own thoughts but I will do so after completing this and recommend you do as well. That and a sticker on my neighbors car proclaiming ‘Freedom isn’t free” has kept the idea in my mind. As always I use this site as an opportunity to ramble and throw out ideas, not to necessarily present a complete view of a topic, so be prepared for more questions than answers by the end.
Here, in the land of the free (U.S.), freedom sometimes seems to be the ultimate right, the most precious commodity. Everyone should be allowed to do anything they wish. The largest frenzies seems to erupt over any, perceived or real, threat to freedom. But is freedom overrated or even possible? At what point does my personal freedom stop?
If I was actually totally free to do whatever I wanted would I be happy? I’d have to say ‘No’. 3 scenarios jump to mind.First of all, lets say I restrict myself cause I don’t want to hurt anyone else. I could move away from all other humans and do whatever I want. In doing so I have restricted my geographical freedom. Alternatively, I could simply restrict my actions as not to affect anyone else. But again I have restricted my total freedom based on ethics (either inherent or cultural prescribed). The third options is that I don’t worry about anyone else, hurt who I wish, where I wish. Then I become a psychopath and give away my capacity to care (which to be pedantic would be a loss of my emotional and, in my thinking, human freedom.)
(There was a long and boring treatise on how binding ourselves to an ideal of freedom is a philosophical binding and denial of freedom of our philosophical/psychological selves but I’ll let you think that through for yourself)
Another thought, If ‘freedom isn’t free’ then we either needed to purchase it or take it. It seems often that we don’t purchase it, work for it or fight for it (unfortunately many have used this as a euphemism for take it), but rather we deny the freedom of another and take it thus becoming enemies of freedom.
Is freedom irrelevant? Absolutely not for reasons expressed in the next paragraph on what to do with freedom. I should where possible seek freedom, especially for others. as the vlogbrothers (roughly quoted) said: Freedom is one of my ultimate concerns, something I would die for. Not my own freedom of course because I’d be dead, but for those I love.
What should I do with the freedom I do possess? I believe we need to grow up. A little kids boasts about having the freedom to stay up later at night than siblings or friends. To boast of freedom is child-like. The deeper more mature questions is what is the purpose of my freedom? What can I affect, who can I bless, what is my responsibility? Not simply “freed” but “freed for _________________”.
I know this is complicated. For example:
Should I support taking freedom from some to give freedom to others? (My answer: Control yes. Freedom, no)
Is government regulation bad as it reduces personal or corporate freedom: (My answer: No)
Should the government be able to oppress it’s people? (My answer: No)
But, with government regulation don’t you open the risk of oppression? (My answer: Yes, there is that risk)
etc.