Are we really free?

Recently I was bombarded with a lot of homework and activities. As I am writing my activity, I ask myself this question: “Am I writing this activity because I want to, or because I have to?” My diligent side of being a student might reply, “Of course, I’m writing this because I want to. I am here to learn all these subjects and I won’t learn it if I do not write and assess my knowledge about it.” However, my not-so-diligent side in me might say, “I’m only reading this because my teacher required us to do this. If it were up to me, I wouldn’t do this activity because I would rather watch K-drama, but since I do not want to fail this class, then I have to write and do this activity, I guess.”

Either way, what I realize is that I always have reasons for doing what I do. I realize that human actions do not simply happen by chance or necessity. My decision to want or not want to write this activity is not simply a result of a random series of events. Rather it is the result of a prior intention to either learn or not learn.

Therefore, however, we may feel about the things that we are doing, whether we like doing them or hate doing them, it is undeniable that these things are only happening because we allowed our intention/motives to shape our decisions. I always see people talking about freedom on social media, and their freedom to act, speak and do whatever they want. Without knowing that their knowledge about freedom is superficial.

Freedom comes with responsibility, and that is what people forget nowadays.

As humans, we are conscious beings that are self-aware.

Without self-awareness, we would not recognize the value of our decisions. We have the ability to chart our own course in life because we are aware of our limitations and our possibilities.

Our awareness of the meaning and value of our decisions and actions with regard to our personal life projects makes us responsible for our choices.

For example, I shoplift and get caught. I may make an excuse saying I only did it because I’m poor, I grew up in an environment that tolerated stealing, and my parents are also thieves too. And I, therefore, make an argument that people should not blame me instead the people around me should be held accountable. Some of you may be persuaded to take my side out of pity.

But in life, we always have a choice, we can always change our minds about the things that we experience. Our past and our contexts do not fully determine what we do in our lives. This means I’m always free not to steal, even if my parents tell me to steal, I’m always free to disobey them.

But what if I said that I’m willing to be put in jail, does my action can be said free and responsible? Does being responsible for our actions automatically make us free and responsible persons?

Our freedom affects others. This is what people don’t know about freedom. The responsible use of one’s freedom does not begin and end with maintaining a sense of control over your decisions. Human freedom, in its authentic sense, involves not just yourself and your actions, but those that may potentially be affected by them.

In conclusion, self-awareness brings to light an important connection to our freedom: responsibility. Though both our past and the external forces in our environment influence our behaviour and decisions, they cannot fully determine our choices. Therefore, we cannot simply use family, history or culture as a basis and justification for our choices, though these do indeed narrow our options.

Ultimately, our decisions are based on our own value-judgements and rational preferences. However, being ultimately accountable for our actions does not automatically mean that we are exercising our freedom responsibly.

Genuine freedom involves careful consideration of consequences not just in our lives, but also in the lives of others

How about you do you really think we are all free?