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Is freedom a relative concept or an absolute one?

Gerhard Tithacott

Hey there!

When it comes to the concept of freedom, whether it's an absolute or a relative one is a topic that has been debated for centuries. Personally, I believe that it's a relative concept, rather than an absolute one, and I'll explain why.

Freedom, in its simplest definition, is the state of being free to act, speak, or think without hindrance or restraint. However, this concept is heavily influenced by cultural, social, and political factors that vary all around the world. What may be considered "free" behavior in one society could be considered a violation of human rights in another. This means that the idea of freedom changes depending on where you are and what group you belong to.

Additionally, freedom is constrained by certain limitations like laws and moral codes, and these constraints interfere with our ability to act without hindrance or restraint. For instance, while the right to free speech is out there, causing harm or hate using words could be supposed by some authorities as being illegitimate. This is due to the fact that there is a fine line between exercising freedom and causing harm towards others.

Sadly, we're all tied to a system of power relations that often dictate the lawful use of freedom, defining preclusions and restrictions to exercise freedom, also the power to enforce consequences when these restrictions are violated. This indicates that freedom is always relative, influenced by the laws of the land and the people that enforce them. So, being free in one society does not necessarily mean that you'll be free elsewhere, as every culture holds unique attributes and dynamics, consequently, the understanding of freedom also changes.

To summarize, I think that freedom is relative as it changes considerably based on the particular circumstances. Though at its core, a person is still permitted to speak, act, and think without hinderance or restraint, this liberty has several restrictions. Therefore, freedom is influenced by a diverse array of cultural, social, moral, and legal factors, making it a relative concept rather than an absolute one.

I hope that you found my view on this topic interesting. Do you agree with me? I'm curious to know what you think!

Cheers.