American Freedom

Freedom is a rather common word in the USA. We constantly praise our current freedom, rejoice when freedom are limited (only where necessary), and bicker when freedoms are infringed upon (which is always). Freedom comes in multiple types and levels, however, and I thought it would be nice to take a closer look at the concept.

The philosophers argue, but the majority seem to hold that the soul of man is absolutely free. It is unrestricted in every way. However, it is tied to the body, which is very limited in the variety of acts it can perform. The body limits the soul by tying it to the physical. This is the first lose of freedom a man suffers.

The second stems from the behavioral requirements of living. While this is less restrictive than the last, it is of utmost importance to nature. While one is free to make the choice to not eat for a certain period of time, they cannot continue to exist while doing so. Thus, while behavior doesn't place such a hard limit as the physical, it builds on it and introduces the consequence. While previous to this consideration all options are equally free, now some choices are less 'free' than others. What I mean is that by making certain choices one faces more severe consequences and thus has less inclination to pick that choice. This shift in priority is not controlled by the person him/herself, but rather by the environment.

While the realities of nature provide one limit to free domain, the choices of others can reduce it further. Social constants of all types hold us to standards which do not include the full variety of choices which we might otherwise have available. Many social institutions help us to live longer, happier lives, but only by further restricting us. Social constraints vary from the expectations of a friend to the requirements of a government. Even more than the previous two, social constraints can be stretched and broken. At this level we can begin to deceive others as a method of maintaining higher freedoms, in addition to simply ignoring others wishes until the consequences become sufficiently grave.

Finally, there is a fourth barrier to human freedom. We ourselves limit our freedom in various ways, for reason outside the influence of others. We can choose to simple act on the beliefs of others, or we can choose for ourselves where our limits lie. It is this level, I would argue, which best defines the difference a person of good and one of evil. It is not whether one follows the law, nor whether one lives healthily, but rather what one is unwilling to do despite having the ability and right to that truly represents character.

But above I have spoken of freedom as if it were a given thing. As if freedom is nothing more than the number of things from which one can choose. But what of the person who chooses to do only as other suggests of them. While they might possess an equal measure of freedom to their peers, no one would call them free! This is a second important point about freedom; only those who 'will themselves to freedom' are free. If you do not choose to act on your own initiative, instead acting only on exterior impetus, then you are no more free than a rock. This is the way by which the person of purpose can be separated from the laggard.

Keeping all of the above in mind, it is quite funny that the USA is so interested in freedom. A country which prides itself on restricting choice whenever convenient and living in accord with dictated laws of higher powers (in God we trust) rather than choosing for oneself should not be so interested in the image of freedom. Why even purvey such a hypocrisy? What does America gain?