Of what value is freedom if it empowers you to harm yourself?

1. 60

   Dr CHE Sadaphalposted 7 years ago

   Of what value is freedom if it empowers you to harm yourself?
   
   

   replyreport
2. 88

   Chatty Chatposted 7 years ago

   The value of freedom isn't based on the consequences of our decisions.  It's based on the fact that we can freely make decisions.  We are free to consume unhealthy junk food and die from heart disease.  We are also free to elect a not-so-great president.

   replyreport
   1. 60

      Dr CHE Sadaphalposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, freedom rests in the ability not in the consequences. But in the examples mentioned the "free" choice leads to scenarios of less freedom: poor health, death and oppression under a tyrant. This questions not the existence but the worth of "free."

      replyreport
3. 63

   wingedcentaurposted 7 years ago

   This essay is in response to a question posed by hubber CH Elijah Sadaphal. We will speak of "freedom," using a specific case study. read more

   replyreport
4. 86

   tamarawilhiteposted 7 years ago

   Even slaves had the ability to harm themselves and kill themselves. Roman law said someone selling a slave had to disclose that the slave had attempted suicide. Yazidi sex slaves are committing suicide at a high rate.
   
   As to the freedom to harm themselves through bad choices, carelessness and deliberate attacks on someone regardless of the odds you will get hurt have always existed.
   
   Let's say you're discussing the ability to make a choice like smoking cigarettes, a free love attitude where you don't care about sexually transmitted diseases or eating bad foods. You will get to live with the consequences, and society's solution is easily letting them live with the consequences. Society then doesn't spend a lot of money treating someone suffering by their own mistakes, like telling smokers we'll give you an oxygen tank but not a lung transplant, the obese person doesn't get extra privileges because they are fat, the person with HIV and AIDS gets pallative care and not 100,000 a year drugs.

   replyreport
   1. 86

      tamarawilhiteposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      To quote Frank Herbert, it has occurred to me more than once that holy boredom is  sufficient reason for the invention of free will.

      replyreport