What is personal freedom for a human being?
 

Freedom pops its head up in threads every so often. There is a lot of talk about it in general but what is it to you as a human being - not a member of a society.

For me true freedom for a human being is

-to be able to do what makes me happy.
-to be in the company of other free people.
-to not be forced do what I feel should not be done.
-to be free in body and be able to travel to anywhere I want when I want.
-to be able to be think what I want and fear no reprisals.
- to be able to help those I want.
- to be free from those who wish to take away my personal freedoms.

and the true test in my mind:
-to wake up in the morning and be able to change everything about my life to make it better, if I determine that is what I want.


Anyone else with ideas on what human freedom is?

Pure personal freedom will never be possible for me, because I include "freedom from authority" among that list. If someone is above me, making decisions regarding my actions, or punishingly them similarly, then I do not feel "free." However, personal freedom is an apt goal, and I think one more should be listed:

* to be free of control by my own emotions
* to be free of control by my own rationality

I think both extremes are not free, as you allow extreme rationality (with no emotion) to rule your life, or you allow extreme emotions (with no rationality) to rule your life. Neither is "free," although you'd be the only one to know.

.. shrug, dont know if thats what you were asking for.

I've always equated freedom with the ability to strive towards happiness without trampling on the right of others to strive towards happiness.

Personal freedom for a human being is the ability to go and travel where-ever that person wants to go. Being able to take your time with pretty much anything you want to.

perfect health
always enough money on hand
no obligations to others (that you don't want)

That would do it for me :-)

Somebody once said, "Your right to swing your arm ends where somebody else's nose begins." Thus "pure" freedom isn't possible in a world we share with others. But other than that, I agree with the Toaster.

I agree with what you said as far as the importance of being concerned with others' rights, however, in concerning one with others wouldn't that state a restriction? That, in turn, contradicting the whole 'freedom' ideal?

Just a thought, but I totally understand where you're coming from.