Everyday ethics: Why we must choose freedom

Sometimes the great words can be the most misunderstood and often abused.

Take the word “freedom.” It’s been often used by those advocating for it and those using it to suppress it.

Whenever I think of how great words such as freedom can be abused I think of George Orwell’s famous book “1984,” in which a totalitarian government takes over and begins a process of doublethink in which language is adapted to fit the official state view.

The slogan for Orwell’s totalitarian state is pure doublethink: “WAR IS PEACE. FREEDOM IS SLAVERY. IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.” Note, the words are all capitalized, a common tactic of would-be dictators.

By reducing the ability of people to think for themselves, reality is twisted to favor those in power. Orwell’s Ministry of Truth even seeks to rewrite history books to reflect the ruling party’s ideology.

The gift of living in a democratic republic is that of having the opportunity to think for ourselves, not parrot the propaganda of those in power to curry their favor.

When I think of freedom I think of those words embedded in our national psyche — the truths we hold dear of life, liberty and happiness.

I understand our desire for life and liberty. But what did the writer mean by the pursuit of happiness? Surely he didn’t mean feeling happy or even giddy as the goal of living.

I suspect that this kind of happiness had more to do with the Greek philosophers Epicurus or Aristotle. Epicurus thought happiness was the basis for the good life. Aristotle’s notion of happiness was living a full life, one in accord with our deepest rationality, learning to think for ourselves.

Living in a democratic republic offers us a chance to think for ourselves and grow. We cast off the yoke of a king and ventured into new territory of governing ourselves. It’s this freedom we celebrate and at times find burdensome, sometimes turning over our lives to some external authority.

I don’t want to live in a dictatorship where my thoughts and actions are limited by some ruling class. They may promise the trains will run on time while they suppress the freedom to think for myself.

No thanks to kings and dictators. The freedom to think and act on my own terms is what it means to be fully human. To give this up is to sacrifice my very being.

John C. Morgan is a writer and teacher. His email is [email protected].