Are we really free?, January 24, 2018 12:27 AM, Beda Schmid

Chapter 1, Page 1 of 1

About Freedom

Most of us human beings want to be free.
We try to preserve our freedom, get frightened someone may threaten it.
Almost any act will be justified if done in the name of freedom.

Numerous measures have been taken throughout history in the name of freedom already, many will be made in future.
Different, defined systems and beliefs of liberty have developed over time, mostly having two things in common:
– the own freedom of each individual within the particular system is clearly defined.
– it is assumed that a threat from outside or inside the system could/will break that definition.

Generally, several “rules” (definitions) that describe the limits of individual freedom within a system are set up, usually by volunteers.
Institutions are built and populated with random (and volunteer) members of the system. Those are then encharged with either re-define and implement or preserve the definitions of freedom made.
We expect that those in charge search and ward off the assumed threats to our Freedom so each member can practice individual freedom at all time.

Usually, this is done by gaining security, through the control of members (and their freedom) of such a system.
Control, in this case, is only possible if it is clearly defined what exactly the goal or the definition and limit of freedom are, which somehow leads to the question, “Was control made to grant Freedom, or Freedom to justify Control?”

Paradoxically the rules imply restrictions on precisely that liberty, which in turn entail more rules.
When members of a system rely on granted freedom, they have at the same time taken on some restrictions on their liberty.
To cope with that, we generally demand to decide for ourselves who and what later will define and implement our freedom, and control (us) to preserve it, as well as defend from attacks.
However, we finally give away our freedom to other people, to be controlled and receive a limited definition of granted freedom in exchange.

If that is not irrational, it is undoubtedly procrastinative.

We believe to be free, by setting up a set of rules, mostly defined and kept in charge by single individuals, who again and again lead in the same fields of chaos, war and economic crisis.
We can look at this as a “Free sheep in a fence, designed and guarded by a Shephard.”
To reach real freedom, such sheep would have to jump the fence or tear it down and evolve from its dependency towards the shepherd.

In other words, we need to realise we are not free and remove the rules restricting this freedom.
Over time the mechanics in charge to define and grant freedom became habit and norms, profiting a limited amount of the society’s members. The control systems we put in place to secure our liberties are now an almost independent entity not anymore in our control nor in our favour.

What was created for Freedom ended up restricting Freedom!

We forgot what Freedom looks and smells like with our devil-may-care apathetic attitude, and find ourselves fenced and controlled by people we asked to do so.

To be free, we cannot set up rules and boundaries. Freedom should tear those down.