Re: Do you consider yourself free?
Reply #20 –
I think you are going to need a larger can.
Once you get onto the subject of "freedom from" you open up a can of worms that "freedom to do" knows little of. Some freedoms we took for granted here turn out to be illusions, too-- freedom from unwarranted search and seizure being right up there if reports are any indication. Freedom from fear-- uh, remember that freedom from unwarranted search? The reason for all that warrantless wiretapping is fear of terrorism--so I reckon we can rule that out for awhile. Freedom from want? Not so you'd notice, and in case it does escape your attention just ask RJH-- I'm sure he'll be happy to tell you all about how the free-est country on earth can't feed its own people.
Freedom to do is, by comparison, relatively simple. If I want to build a bookshelf, I can do this. I just need decent plans, a couple of tools and some supplies and I can build a bookshelf. I have as much freedom to build this as my finances will allow. I can call a friend any time I want, I have freedom to do this. I can make bacon and eggs until the very sight of it turns your stomach-- I have as much freedom to do this as a body can stand.
So-- Freedom from may be more crucial, and much harder to come by, than freedom to do. Even in so-called free nations, it turns out that certain key freedoms simply don't exist-- or if they do, they have to be bought at such a dear price that I doubt "free" is the word I'd want to apply to it.