Freedom is a central value of our Western society. Something few of us would want to give up.
Freedom! But what is it exactly and how is it different from rebellion? PICTURE: Jed Villejo/Unsplash.
We all think we know what freedom is – being able to say and do whatever we want.
But stop and think about that. Isn’t that the definition of rebellion – saying and doing whatever you want?
Freedom and rebellion are indeed very close. Do you want your children to say and do whatever they want? Do you want people in a supermarket to live like that?
Is saying and doing whatever we want really freedom? Some great philosophers and theologians would disagree – that’s not freedom at all but the opposite; rebellion, selfishness – and it has devastating consequences both personally and for society.
What is freedom? That’s gonna take me another minute.
Paul Clark’s musings can be heard on radio across Australia and at atthetop.org.au.