Freedom

Aug 5, 2004

We all want to be free.

Free of what or free from what?

Free of cares? Forget it. Life is all care.

Free of responsibility? Frankly, we will not like it. 

Real freedom is never attained in a physical sense. It is not freedom 

of a group that can light the flame in us. 

Freedom from want, subservience, fear, rule of passion and greed, 

the logic of endless expectations. A state of indifference to our state in life 

is freedom. We are not covetous, we are not possessive. That is freedom.

FREEDOM IS NOT POSSIBLE UNRESTRAINEDLY, AND MORALITY IS NECESSARY, IN ORGANIZED SOCIAL LIVING. 

When I read, ‘A third party has no business with what two consulting adults do between them,’ it sounded reasonable. But, down the line, it occurred to me that it has no better basis than the traditional social conventions and norms. Often, catchy short statements fool us. There is no unconditional truth except in philosophy. For example the opening statement, on reflection, has to be modified by ‘provided it does not affect a third party adversely.’ This sort of conditionality will multiply as we examine more and more situations.

The case for freedom and free expression gets weaker as we examine social necessities. Organized society and civilization resulted through well-meaning regulations and restrictions. We do not concede, not yet, that I can occupy available space like animals, or that ‘Clean India’ is a denial of natural freedom. Free speech that incites violence cannot be advocated.

Freedom must go with social concern and self-control.