October, 2012
FREEDOM & LIBERTY
Desire, willingness, and ability to forego or to take an action are essential components of freedom.
Freedom has limits: There is no belief that freedom allows anyone to murder another person. In a society governed by law the freedom to kill has generally been prohibited if not absolutely banned. Soldiers and police officers are allowed to kill in the line of duty. Individuals are allowed to kill in self-defense when their own life or the lives of others are fatally threatened.
Freedom has no meaning outside of its relation to action. One has freedom to act. One has freedom from the harmful acts of others.
Freedom to act. Freedom from harm. These are the essential elements of liberty. These points are captured in this old saying: “You are free to act as long as your actions harm no one else.” So it comes down to acceptable actions and unacceptable harms. The question of acceptable or unacceptable behavior immediately throws our discussion of freedom and liberty into the arena of right or wrong.
Right or wrong immediately complicate our view of freedom and liberty.
Who decides what is right and what is wrong? Is the “right” act to be rewarded? Is the “wrong” act to be punished? If so, under what circumstances and to what degree? A judgement is required before answering.
In the United States one should remember the preamble of our Constitution:
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
The intentions of the founders of the United States are clear. The behavior of Americans should promote Union, Justice, Tranquility, Welfare, and the Blessings of Liberty amongst the citizens of the United States.
When next tempted to snarl in contempt at the position of the opposition, stop and consider the goals of our union.
Freedom and liberty may be best served by doing no harm.
