PHILOSOPHY OF MAN FREEDOM AND DETERMINISM
PHILOSOPHY OF MAN FREEDOM AND DETERMINISM Many common people define freedom as: doing whatever one wants. If I can do what I want I’m free; if I can’t, I’m not!. In other words, any restriction or rule is seen as inherently bad, as anti-freedom. If freedom is merely “doing what I want”, then we would have to admit the drug addict who helplessly sets about fulfilling her/his deep inward craving (her/his “want”), even at the cost of brutal murder and robbery, is a totally free person. After all, s/he is doing “what s/he wants”. It can be harmful to others when I can do whatever I want in the process I may make use of the other for my selfish needs. This is against the freedom of others; so freedom can’t be doing what one wants to do. If we have to further define it as doing whatever I wish, so long as no one else gets hurt.” But is that enough? What if, for instance, my parents wanted me to become a priest or a religious or get married to someone whom I...