Raeben Davis

PHIL-1120

Professor Izrailevsky

25 November 2019

Freedom

A question to consider is: Is freedom ever free? In order to gain freedom, it seems we must

achieve it. So, is freedom a goal, is it a luxury, or is it a state of mind? To understand freedom, we can

start by defining it. One definition says: It is “the power of self-determination attributed to the will; the

quality of being independent of fate or necessity.” Another says: “The power or right to act, speak, or

think, as one wants without hinderance or restraint.” According to the first definition it portrays freedom

as a choice. It allows the ability to choose your independence, to make yourself free. The second

definition gives the idea that freedom is granted to you. That if it is allowed, we are free to speak, act and

think without consequence. If we look at our modern world, these two definitions prove to be true to

some extent. There are places in the world where certain freedoms are given to you but, only under

certain circumstances. Freedom can be consolidated down to human rights if examined deeply. So, as a

collective species, what are our rights? What freedoms do we have in this world? I do not have the

answer, I only have an opinion.

My opinion on this matter is straightforward. The idea of freedom can be exaggerated in many

different scenarios. Instead of explaining all the different outcomes of freedom I will keep it simple. The

origin of the word “free” comes from German word frei, which means “to love.” Another German

translation is friede, meaning “peace.” I play off the idea that freedom is self-determinizing. That we can

achieve our freedom. I can relate to this concept because I live in a free country that allows us to act

freely under constitutional rights. However, this isn’t the case for the entire world. Not everyone can act

in full freedom. Which is why it is practical to consider freedom as a state of mind. Nothing or no one can
take our freedom to think, at least for now. In the modern day it is important to know your freedoms. It is

smart to know what your abilities are. And its most reasonable to consider freedom with love and peace

involved. Freedom is a privilege and if freedom is accessible then it is best to use it with great gratitude

and responsibility.

To close with a quote from famous philosopher John Locke, he states; “Liberty…is the power a

Man has to do or forbear doing any particular Action, according as its doing or forbearance has

the actual preference in the Mind, which is the same thing as to say, according as he

himself wills it.” Thinking is the prominent action here. It is an action that can never be taken

from us. If our thoughts are ever constricted, then freedom can no longer exist.
Sources:

Rickless, Samuel. “Locke On Freedom.” Stanford Encyclopedia of

Philosophy, Stanford University, 16 Nov. 2015,
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/locke-freedom/.

Etymologically Speaking..., https://westegg.com/etymology/.