George Orwell showed us how freedom can be slavery. The other day I saw a definition of freedom that is “when you have nothing left to loose”. What do you think? How do you define freedom? Why?
2007-12-22 01:44:30 · 12 answers · asked by Investor 5 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Being free means being unlimited by anything. And because everything can be opposed, freedom is unreal idea.
2007-12-22 02:01:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It totally depends on the age, situation and circumstances. Epicurus believed freedom to be attainable by banishing pain, and purely pursuing pleasure in ways that did not harm others. Buddhists believe that freedom comes through meditation, freeing the soul and spirit from material desires. Others believe freedom means having the money to do what you want, when you wish. I believe all of these ideas are equally as valid.
Freedom for the individual is different from a free state, a free society, where many duties and rules may curtail the individual's liberty. In politics, "freedom" is often assosciated with free trade, capitalism and non-governmental interference.
In day to day life noone is free, because even if you have made a good life for yourself, there will always be many things you simply could not do even if you wanted. Our political systems, rulers and authorities impose too much restriction, and many idealized fantasies, such as walking around naked, flying through the air, or being permanently intoxicated, may be dangerous and even fatal.
Wild animals may be said to be free, but of course most are constantly struggling for survival. Pets, then, might be free - but, although they do not know it, they are cpative and ill-equipped for wild life.
Is freedom maybe, then, the belief that you are free - being restricted but being blinded to the chains? Now I'm asking you the questions!
Despite all my idealistic longings for freedom, it seems I would have to answer you by saying that the only free ones are those who are mentally unhinged, and forget society's restrictions - though their freedom exists only in their minds, and of course they are often hospitalized and medicated for their own safety on the real world - and those about to die, who really do not need to give a damn any longer what society thinks.
2007-12-22 10:07:25 · answer #2 · answered by Z 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Freedom exists when we allow ourselves to be who we truly are without feeling the need to conform to society's views or pressures. "To thine own self be true"; however, freedom also comes with responsibility because we must never use our personal sense of freedom to infringe on the rights/pleasures of another individual. True freedom is not dependent on external or outside forces but it is rooted from within - and if there are no hindrances it can become a most wonderful thing of beauty. Still, whenever a person strives toward freedom he or she "must" expect obstacles because, I promise you, they will come in full force. It takes a great deal of strength, courage, responsibility, wisdom and determination to truly live a life of freedom.
Now that you have obtained true freedom, what are you going to do with it? Ah ha! Consider this one, my friend.
I wish you well!
2007-12-22 10:43:41 · answer #3 · answered by Bethany 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be argued that absolute freedom would be nihilism. Meaning, there is a limit to how much freedom one can handle, before the individual begins to destroy itself, in order to free itself from itself. To be semi-realistic, the highest obtainable freedom a healthy individual can hope for is perhaps freedom from 'need'. But one would have to be capable of immortality, to be free from any & all need(s)
2007-12-22 10:46:07 · answer #4 · answered by insignificant_other 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is a difficult term to define. For me freedom is having "the choice" to do what I believe to be right as far as I do not violate the rights of others.
Peace&Love
2007-12-22 12:20:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Freedom is simply to do whatever you want without being controlled by anything or anybody
2007-12-22 09:50:11 · answer #6 · answered by Porsche Enthusiast 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
to me, freedom is when you have rights to do something & you are free & nobody else can stop you!
like a bird has freedom, it can fly & do whatever, poop on someone's head & nothing can stop it.
2007-12-22 10:00:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Freedom is leaving what perishs; to what never perishes.
Freedom is worship to one God/Allah this is freedom thru slavehood.
2007-12-22 14:40:41 · answer #8 · answered by Knowing Gnostic 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
freedom, to me, is having the choice to do anything you want to
2007-12-22 10:16:33 · answer #9 · answered by the girl ♥ 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
An "illusion"
2007-12-22 17:58:03 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋