Obviously everyone's actions are limited my factors outside of their own control. Everyday there are things which limit your potential. Is true freedom having all limitations cut away, or is a state of mind that can be developed anywhere, no matter the situation? Because one of those definitions of freedom can be taken away, the other cannot be, unless you choose to give it away that is. If freedom is a state of mind how do you develope it?
2007-06-10 03:33:20 · 7 answers · asked by -ZAF- 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Freedom can be looked at as an outside situation, and also an inner state of being.
As an outside situation, we are ATLEAST interdependent (that is the maximum freedom possible as a living being !)
As an inner state of being, as long as a person is stuck in his mind, freedom is only an illusion, at the mercy of that person's state of mind. And the state of mind is again at the mercy of outside situation (as long as it matches the desires, expectations etc !)
Now, try to visualise a person who attains a state of mind (or rather no-mind ... meaning, a still calm peaceful state), where he also finds himself in an attitude of complete "choicelessness" quite consciously (meaning, not in need of any choice at all about any thing ! ), a deep state of total acceptance... That could be conceived of as true freedom. All great beings have demonstrated this. Jesus accepted gracefully, any undue punishment inflicted upon him, without 'reacting' (reaction is out of lesser or non-acceptance). Also, Socrates cheerfully drank the cup of poison, forced upon him ! They had experienced the true freedom, and therefore these things did not really 'touch' them at all !!
2007-06-10 04:18:21 · answer #1 · answered by Spiritualseeker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, freedom is that which is obtained via mind after ridding the true self of the ego and realizing your individuality beyond the body. Finding self is freedom.
However, the meaning of freedom is circumstantial in the case of every person who experiences it. We will relate freedom in opposition to what is restricting thereof. Some people will say freedom is the ability to walk the streets without the government patrolling. Others say freedom is the ability to express themselves however they so choose. I say freedom is essentially realizing that your body restricts you more than any social factor. It's all contextual and subjective.
So, for the lack of a shorter and less verbose explanation I would have to agree: yes.
2007-06-10 10:49:32 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Freedom is hype. This is why it has to be qualified and limited even in a "free" culture such as ours.
What you are seeking is for everyone to be treated with respect. It cannot happen from the current perspectives of western culture. We depend upon laws for what we assume is civilization and laws do not account for a relative existence.
Respectful societies do happen occasionally. They are so called primitive cultures everyone of which we have destroyed.
2007-06-10 11:41:19 · answer #3 · answered by Wizard 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would agree at least for someon who is not enslaved. True freedom is making the decision to go live in the woods, live on an island, ignore public or family approbation and do what you want to do (within bounds of the law).
2007-06-10 10:57:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Freedom is an objective state of being. True freedom is not license. It is regulated by law because where there is no law, there is no freedom.
2007-06-10 12:21:47 · answer #5 · answered by sokrates 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are no limits, only boundaries. True freedom means there is nothing left to lose.
2007-06-10 10:52:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Freedom is an illusion.
The US tax code is roughly 1 million words long. Regardless of your religion, you're required to follow it -- or else.
2007-06-10 10:41:27 · answer #7 · answered by guru 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋