Every man has a property in his own person. – John Locke

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

The Choice of Liberty

Thought is the one element, the one function that separates human beings from all other creatures (as far as we know so far). The one thought that truly separates human beings from all other creatures is the idea of Liberty.

It is somewhat humorous because I originally ended the above sentence as 'personal Liberty' - as if there was some other kind. But all Liberty is in fact, when examined carefully, 'personal' Liberty. There is no other kind. There is no 'collective Liberty' because as soon as the individuals that comprise the 'collective' are freed from that collective they each and every one acts on behalf of his or her own 'personal' Liberty. Even if it is to choose to join another collective.

One either is able to make choices that determine the actions that person will take, which is one definition of Liberty, or one is a slave to circumstance, or to another person or group of persons. There is simply no other option or possibility.

Thus, Liberty is always 'personal' Liberty. I am free to choose or I am not. You are free to choose, or you are not. It is always person to you or to me.

This is the first and foremost either/or that is derived from thye sheer fact of existence and the ability to reason. Lacking an ability to reason, and the 'choice' to exercise that reason, there is no Liberty, nor can there be.

So to return to the notion that began this blog originally, so long ago already, it all begins with a thought. The thought of Liberty is one the derives from and embraces a whole chain and complex of concepts and 'thoughts' without which Humanity as we know it would not exist.

It all begins with a thought, if you choose to exercise it.

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