The Meaning of Freedom

22 Oct, 2024

Core Summary: This note explores a personalized, practical view of freedom. It argues that freedom is not a static geographical concept but rather a dynamic process that requires continuous pursuit and maintenance. The essence of freedom lies in having autonomy over one's life and breaking free from both internal and external constraints.

Core Definitions

Based on personal practice, "freedom" can be deconstructed into three fundamental aspects:

1. Autonomy

   • Definition: Having control over one's life, being able to set and pursue goals according to one's genuine desires and values.
   • Manifestation: Refusing involuntary social activities (such as conformity tests at drinking parties); maintaining reasonable principles in business cooperation (such as requiring advance payment) even when facing exclusion.

2. Mutual Respect

   • Definition: While exercising one's rights, respecting others' choices and destinies, while actively fulfilling personal obligations and assuming corresponding responsibilities. This is a model of equal rights and responsibilities.

3. Inner Liberation

   • Definition: Breaking free from the constraints of negative emotions such as fear, anxiety, and prejudice to achieve inner peace and clarity.
   • Related Case: Speaking up against unreasonable demands from authority (such as the case of "father opposing irregular operations") represents maintaining inner principles and resisting fear.

Key Principles and Views

• Value Hierarchy of Freedom: In the hierarchy of values, freedom can be placed at an extremely high position. Petőfi's poem "Freedom and Love" reveals a progressive relationship: life can be sacrificed for love, and love can be sacrificed for freedom, highlighting freedom's ultimate value.
• Environmental Impact on Freedom: Environment is the "soil" for pursuing freedom - while not deterministic, it is crucial. More "fertile" soil (such as societies with more open-minded thinking and slower life rhythms) can significantly reduce the difficulty of pursuing freedom.
• Freedom as Continuous Practice: Achieving freedom is not a one-time accomplishment. Even in more favorable environments, individuals still need to face and overcome new challenges, making it an endless process of balance and struggle.

Favorable Factors and Challenges in Pursuing Freedom

Favorable Factors (Soil Nutrients):

• Openness of Thought: Environments that encourage open discussion and diverse viewpoints.
• Life Rhythm: A relatively slower pace providing more space for reflection, introspection, and planning.
• Perspective Shift: New cultural environments helping to re-examine values from an "outsider's" perspective.
• Social Reconstruction: Opportunities to build social networks based on shared values rather than geography or interests.
• Career Diversity: Greater freedom to choose career paths according to personal interests and abilities.

Ongoing Challenges:

• Cultural and Language Integration: Continuous effort required to adapt to new social rules and language systems.
• Economic Foundation: Financial uncertainty directly limiting freedom of choice.
• Social Relationship Maintenance: Need to overcome emotional challenges from being distant from original friend and family circles.