Phil’s Blog

Freedom

What does it mean to be free?

Free to do as I want?

Am I really free?

I am so limited by the form I have,

I cannot certainly fly, even if I wanted too

My only way is with a plane—

Nor can I swim under the sea as long as I want,

My only way is with a submarine,

So what does that mean to be free?

My consciousness does not let me be

In jail in the body it dwells

Giving the illusion that I am free

Free to obey the laws of man

Free to conform to the view of the masses

And if I dare not to obey, nor follow the way of society

Then my freedom is terminated.

Free to do good or bad, when my mind cannot see the difference

Man kills other man and calls it good when the man has a uniform on,

But bad if he doesn’t.

Am I free to think?

When my thoughts are the results of my up bringing.

Am I only free to follow my desires and wants?

And even those, I cannot recall

So tell me what is that Freedom, which soldiers are dying trying to protect?

Is Democracy the best system?

The principal element of democracy is the voting power the nation’s members.

It is said that the leaders represent the views and philosophy of the masses they govern. So, when leaders lie, corrupt, behave unethically they represent the mentality of the masses.

Or did the masses, when electing their leaders, did not use logic to evaluate each candidate, but, vile emotions driven by media propaganda. Or is it that politics has become more the art of manipulation, than a service to the public.

I recall a passage in the Republic, where Plato suggests that philosophers be rulers, but the problem is that philosophers would not seek such position, for it entails a great obligation towards the citizens of the state. The leader can no more think, and seek personal goods, he or she must think for the benefit of the whole. This aspect of being a servant to the public is gone from our system, and only the term “public servant” remains.

So it is not only the fault of the masses, but also of those politicians that the democratic system has become a masquerade.

It is also Plato, which mentioned that in a democracy, the leaders would decrease the liberties and freedoms of their citizens, as to better enjoy the fruits of their elite position; which will bring revolt and Anarchy.

It is why; in my opinion democracy is not the best option. Anarchy or self ruling seems to be more to the level of Human.

A Human, free, because he or she commands oneself, as Pythagoras wrote: “No man is free but who commands himself.”

A Human that would live to his or her great potential.

A rational Human.

It is apparent that the human specie has spread itself across the globe and even beyond, placing itself at the top of the food chain, and proving it to be quite adaptable. Moreover, since the human specie has created societies bound by laws, it is evident that the specie associates itself with characteristics such as: choice, critical thinking, analytical thinking and awareness of one’s existence.

Choice requires logic, comparison and evaluation; critical thinking, demands integrity, and creativity, and analytical thinking feed on the desire to discover, and learn.

If all this is true, than the specie has yet to show its great potential.