Themes of the Humanities: Freedom
Throughout history freedom has always been something we were born with and something we were meant to have. Personally, I feel as if natural freedom has been stripped away from us and has forced us to be limited to a point where people are kept in check. In all honesty, if everyone were allowed to actually do whatever they want, whenever they want, I believe that there would be a chaotic society with no order whatsoever. As stated in the chapter, “… freedom of the will does not exist, there are too many factors governing our choices.” (494.16.3) Society has set so many rules and expectations to a point where actually being able to do what we want freely to an extent isn’t as easy as it sounds when it comes to actually doing it. So many factors play into it such as, accountability, punishment, and even being outcasted for your own sense of thought and reason, but yet we’re completely free to do and think as we, please right? The obstacles and challenges we face each and every day determine the course of action that we believe we must take. Those who tend to be in power are the ones who influences individuals’ judgements the most. For example, our own government says you have to work in order to make a living and depending on how you want your lifestyle to be you have to be willing to commit to certain things that you may strongly disagree with down the road. Of course, we have our natural rights to show that our freedom is constitutional, but yet it still remains to be a discussion of being able to do as you truly please, no matter the consequences. As stated in the text, “… the more people are consistent and predictable, the less they are free.” (500.16.7) As people, we are expected to have an image for the outside world. This image shows off our character and behavior around others. The more we show people our persona, they start to classify us and if we were to do anything unpredictable based on the profile they made for us we “aren’t” being ourselves, but in reality we have the freedom to do as we please and acting out of character sometimes is one of them. This limitation within society shows how freedom and free will is sometimes a possibility of not having it as much as we may think we do.
The level of freedom also has to do with your religious and cultural upbringings as well. For example, “What does freedom mean to those who grow up in societies which have been or are now embroiled in bitter religious and territorial disputes that severely limit choices.” (515.15.4) It means that maybe we aren’t as equal as the constitution states. Due to my own religious background, temptations as much as getting a tattoo and pre-marital sex cross my mind, something I was told to stay away from, but yet I felt drawn to. Now that I am a legal adult I could easily go ahead and do things like that, but because of how I was raised it influences my free will and judgment. To wrap it all up, freedom is found in the limitations that we have created for ourselves each day, the only way that might actually mean pure freedom may be the thought of thinking simpler instead of letting all these factors influence us.
Janaro, R. P., & Althshuler, T. C. (2013). The art of being human: The humanities as a technique for living. Pearson Learning Solutions.
Loper, Gary. “What Does Freedom Mean To You?” Gary Loper Header Image, www.garyloper.com/what-does-freedom-mean-to-you/.
Editor, Posted By: “Christianity: It’s More Than a Bunch of Dos and Don’ts.” Faith Island, faithisland.org/faith/christianity-its-more-than-a-bunch-of-dos-and-donts/.
