What is freedom is it merely a social construct?

Question

True freedom would mean that we could do anything we liked that would ultimately lead to anarchy and no freedom. The US holds itself up as a banner for freedom, but is this merely a social construct. I believe it is and therefore one countries freedom can be viewed by another as anarchy, or slavery or somewhere in between it will always be viewed through the influences of their social environment. So in a way the US's and UK's strategy of foreign policy designed to free oppression is flawed and maybe we are slowly starting to realise this. This then begs the bigger question what is freedom.

Answer 1

Freedom is not so much a 'social construct' as a social contract.Freedom is always conditional it is never unconditional.Total freedom without contractual obligation is anarchy.

Answer 2

Hmm this is complicated!!



Well, there is freedom on different levels I suppose. Lots of people have the luxury of being lazy and doing nothing because society is built up in such a way that someone else is always there to do the job, so I guess that's a social construct. Obviously, this means that many a working man won't have this freedom because he needs to feed his wife and children etc..



I think that the ability to be free also relies on the INDIVIDUAL in context to the ENVIRONMENT. Like mentioned above, you will have the archetypes of the lazy man and the working man, both situations conditioned by the person's disposition, social class, education, upbringing, among other things.



Another point: if EVERYONE was free, then no one would be free, if you know what I mean (let's assume that everyone is for themselves and no one cares about society, and we are CAVEMEN). The lazy man would be beaten by apes and eaten by snakes!! The working man would kill the apes, and eat the snakes!! SO, places like the UK and US have given many people the opportunity to be lazy and not contribute to society, while the working people are 'trapped' (unless they love their job, which is based on the individuals disposition).



So, in the UK and the US there are lots of people in fair/ unfair situations, as is only natural. But then, there are lots of people who should be WAY more grateful for what they've got in Western societies, obviously lots of us are a lot better off than third world countries.



To look at freedom objectively, and putting the word into the context that it is the ability to CHOOSE, then I would say the monks are the truly free people lol, since they choose to live that way, whether they're happy or not (I'm sure they are).



So, to SUM UP, the UK and US' idea of freedom may be conditioned by a VIEW of freedom, but they have the ability to make CHOICES- (luxurious choices!!) unlike lesser well-off citizens from other cultures.



Ultimately, it is the enlightened buddhists that are the most free!



So that's my answer! (unfortunately GENERALISED, a little naive(I'm still at school)??)

Answer 3

Yes there is such a thing as freedom but you have to work for it.

And when you have come to the end of your working days and had your fill of having children and payed of the house,then you can go fishing every day ,and do all the things you dream about.

Live is what you make it but you have work for it and looking at the world today,there's to many all thinking the same thing.

What they think today is that live owes them a living, and they can get it for nothing. And that's what wrong ,not enough work.

When the war was on there was plenty of work.So the governments of the world should spend the money on making work not wars, spend your money on your own children not on others.And if there's some over then yes give to others but make sure your own children are well looked after.

So freedom is there but it's not a gift you have to work for it,

and look to your own first.

Answer 4

If the group presupposes and infers in derogatory fashion the religious to be unthinking sheep, then by comparison admittance and membership of what is politely called ‘’the group’’ requires, nay demands a shedding of not only morals, but any principles the individual may have possessed. On a ground level it becomes an insufferable raging mob, when the leaderships and hierarchy organise themselves into a group above democratic accountability, moral insuperability, and ethical liability then what is known as ‘’the group’’ becomes a demagoguery, participants of an Armageddon like war of widespread corruption and illicit dealings at the expense of the very people it professes to serv. Religion has unfortunately become a relatively innocent kicking boy for these stalwarts of relinquishing responsibility and mass buck passing in what is referred to as the complex and intricate mayhem and chaos of the matrix of confusion and disorder. there is no God, scruples or morality involved at all. Just a rousing of fears and insecurities in a inclement age, of dysfunctioned participles contributing to a blazing lake of fire constructed to prolong and further the interest of what is termed ‘the group’. Good men will awaken and halt what is an indisputable and undeniable self defeating evil and travesty against mankind’s fate and wellbeing. Morality is made a contentious burden when free will causes misappropriation of moral tenets in efforts to indulge the weaker willed of the group. True morality is indoctrinated and a standard from all from birth thus becoming inherent behaviour than a constraint of sorts. The objective, at times forgotten, is to create a free society where common moral values base the character of each individual from where true liberty grows and humanity prospers than struggles against the implemented sinful devices designed for that precise immoral purpose and contrived end ...

Answer 5

First off, I am in agreement with your position as my country (U.S.) has taken a word and transformed it into something that the word is not.

I say this because right off the bat, from the moment of birth (or creation) a living creature (in any form) is not free! We are dependant! Everything is dependent on Everything else! So for some Politicians to come over here and claim that we are "FREE", is a bold faced lie! We are dependant on our environment and therefore control has to exist in order for such fragile animals (humans) to exist!



Freedom comes with death unfortunately... But, that's why old folks don't mind letting go when the time is right.

Answer 6

at some point it is just social construct that imposes to us. But at some point it is a freedom under the law. Freedom with limit, limit that will going to help you to be a better person. Think of this, what if we have a COMPLETE freedom without the intervention of law, what will going to happen in the society? all man just go to your business at get anything without paying? killing people without punishment? committing crimes any time you want?



Human is so irrational and complete freedom will be a chaos to society itself.. we are fortunate enough that we enjoy freedom in America. try to put your self in other countries.

Answer 7

you mean, what is your interpretation of freedom. Im free every single day, i challenge my body, fight sicknesses, push it to run the extra mile, push it to lift weights and change my appearance. Im a brain with a body, not a body with a brain. Another interpretation of freedom is government, people will always have laws, but the ones who are free can be those who break laws or abide by them for their entire life. You are only chained when you let society bother you, worry you.

Thoreau described his night in jail as one of the freest moments in his life, read 'the night thoreau spent in jail' if you havent. and remember that even the birds are chained to the sky

Answer 8

In most situations, yes, it is a social construct. If I went outside and hit somebody with a rock, I would probably have the cops called on me, arrested, and charge with assault. Absolute freedom does not exist in government

Answer 9

True freedom will never exist. We are all constrained by our bodies. By accepting life as it is, and stop fighting it, we gain some kind of enlightenment - perhaps even relief. If we don't get it through thought and understanding, then old age will let us breath easy eventually.

Answer 10

True. Trying to impose our rules on other societies and cultures is not spreading freedom - it is cultural elitism. If called on to aid in a democratic revolution with money and arms, maybe.

Answer 11

Essentially yes.



In American definition "Freedom" means freedom under the law.



And since the law is so restrictive you might as well be in prison!

Answer 12

The ability to totally control your own destiny. Worth striving for but totally unattainable.

Answer 13

"Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose."

- Me & Bobby McGee by Kris Kristofferson

Answer 14

freedom is a myth, as is any idea of a "social construct"

or did you mean CONTRACT?

Answer 15

...truly easy access to do and say things not against the law or others consent and not be incarcerated or restrained...

Answer 16

you do not no what freedom is untill u lose it

Answer 17

If everything is possible is it possible for something to be impossible?

Answer 18

whoa man!!

This is awfully serious for a friday night!!