Thought-Provoker: considering the concept of freedom

The terms ‘autonomy’ and 'freedom' have varied definitions and interpretations depending upon whether they are used in psychology, sociology, anthropology, philosophy, political science or other paradigms and rubrics. Depending not only on underpinning paradigm but also theoretical proponent, any distinctions made can often be blurry, if they are made at all. However, we might recognise that personal autonomy is indeed tied to freedom, perhaps inextricably. But perhaps autonomy might involve having an availability of open choices and viable options from which to select (choice alternatives). Whereas freedom might involve having the capacity to make such a selection without coercion or constraint (i.e., one has the freedom to make a choice). I'd like the interested reader to consider the following definition of freedom and, whether or not, he or she, might resonate with the conceptualization.

Let us consider 'freedom' to reflect the capacity of an individual to exercise some degree of self-agency or self-governance that is unencumbered and unrestricted by market forces and process, gratuitous government rules and regulations (i.e., regulations beyond which are morally justifiable) and not be exposed to personal information demands and invasion of privacy practiced by the aforementioned regulatory and commercial agents (now collectively referred to as controlling entities).

Therefore, a 'free' individual enjoys minimal interference in decision making, choice and action from controlling entities. The 'free' individual will be largely removed from unnecessary, coercive prescriptions of behavior and will be able to exercise reflective understanding of the freedom seeking process. The 'free' will have the personal authority to self-direct their own actions, albeit within the confines of the normative values and attitudes of the governing culture in which they have been exposed (every individual is socialized according to the structures, rules and social networks in which they have been immersed). The 'free' then, will have the capacity to self-select, self-guide, and to some extent, self-govern.

The concept of 'freedom' presented here is not one advocating anarchy, but merely simple release from the hegemonic, forced consumerism of Capitalist society, and unnecessary social control and privacy reducing operations of controlling entities that are largely born of the commodification process and needs of government to subjugate its people. Functional 'freedom' is not about the removal of all prohibitions, nor is it about violating moral behavior that the wider community values as appropiate. Instead, it's about being able to make personal decisions based upon all available knowledge that is identifiably accurate, and not propaganda and lies disseminated by government and supporting agencies, businesses and media. 'Freedom' is about not having business enterprise and government intruding into the lives of individuals---directing purchasing behavior and mandating the handover of personal information. 'Freedom' is having the capacity to navigate one's environment without being surveilled and without fear of summary prosecution for a violation that has no moral basis.

A 'free' individual will also be an empowered individual. An individual who is not subjugated by controlling entities, and is able to exercise personal judgment and make choices, will be empowered, and also have a functional level of self-worth that is psychologically calming. Stress levels are reduced and quality of life improves as a consequence. With increased self-governance comes personal ownership of attitudes and actions that further empower the individual.

'Freedom' is about all the above and so much more. Above all else, 'freedom' is a basic human need and, therefore, a basic human right.