Man and Freedoms

Man and Freedoms

The Right to Freedom and the Right to Free Will

The Classifications of Freedom

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Man and Freedoms

First, we must clearly distinguish the three basic terms involved in discussions on freedom – free will, release, and freedom and define each: 

1-Release: The state of release can be defined as the elimination of all restrictions or barriers preventing man’s will toward doing anything.  For instance, when a person is in exile, he is forced to stay there. Whenever this restriction is removed, the person is totally free.

2-Freedom: can be divided into two levels:

a)Natural freedom involves the selection of a particular end or means out of various ends and goals before us. This level of freedom is higher than being released, which only conveys the omission of all limitations, and prevents the flow of human will.

b)Elevated freedom includes the domination of human character over the positive and negative extremes of an action. Thus, the more control man has over the positive and negative poles, his freedom will be greater, and vice versa.

3-Free Will: consists of the character's supervision and control over the positive and negative poles of an action, or deservingly giving up an option in order to accomplish perfection.

 Both of the above-mentioned levels of freedom are quite distinct from release; with freedom, man’s personality aids him in his actions. 

Let us consider how freedom and free will differ:

a)The notion of merit-based selections and aiming for perfection provides the point of distinction between free will and freedom, for freedom is not concerned with the fact whether the action is merit-based or leading to perfection or not.

b)With freedom, doing or not doing something is enjoyable, for the feeling of freedom arises from two side products which are both ideal to man:

●firstly, the absence of any kind of restrictions limiting man’s will, and 

●second, the feeling of being able to select ends or means out of infinite possibilities. 

Feeling free causes the most delightful of emotional states in man, as the feeling of being alive itself does. With free will, on the other hand, not only does man not seek the enjoyment of being alive, but even makes man perform the hardest of tasks in order to achieve perfection.  Nevertheless, carrying out tasks with the aim of reaching perfection refreshes and elevates the soul, which is totally incomparable with natural pleasure.

c)With free will, the human will, decisions and actions fall into the domain of meritorious deeds, whereas actions performed or refused out of pure freedom results in a natural merit incomparable to values.

The Right to Freedom and the Right to Free Will

At any level, freedom is capable of spiritually and mentally developing mankind, provided it fulfills these two conditions. Elevated freedom, however, is more effective. 

Condition 1: Freedom, whether purely natural or elevated, should not prevent man from moving towards free will and evolutionary development. In other words, the pleasant feeling of freedom should not block our path toward an intelligible life. 

Condition 2: One’s freedom should in no case disturb that others’ freedom or free will. Man should thoughtfully attempt to develop his freedom and potentials from purely natural to elevated. Even when achieving so, he should not stop, and strive for reaching a level of free will that can be named intelligible freedom on the path toward intelligible life. Freedom and free will are significant enough to be considered human rights, just as important as the right to live.