The concept of freedom is multifaceted, and it has many definitions depending on the scope of its application. For example, freedom can be physical, spiritual, political, or personal. However, regardless of the scope, all types of freedom have common features. All these concepts are united by the fact that a free person does not experience pressure from the people around them but acts according to his convictions and desires. Moreover, freedom is primarily an internal state of a person, which is determined by the absence of prejudices and biases that limit people’s thinking processes.
Nevertheless, in the manifestation and realization of one’s freedoms, a person should not forget about the freedoms of others. Elizabeth Anker (2022) calls such ‘ugly freedoms’ which, at first glance, seem to have a positive effect but limit the opportunities and freedom of others. Therefore, despite all the laws and social norms, absolute freedom does not exist. The personal freedom of each is limited by the freedom of another person, ethics, and moral standards. Moreover, the freedom of everyone is limited by the framework of the society in which people live. All people are free, but at the same time, everyone has obligations and attachments.
It turns out that freedom does not have clear outlines in its definition. Throughout life, humanity yearns to get it in every possible way. Nevertheless, there is no absolute freedom, but everyone can follow their desires and beliefs if it does not contradict the law and moral standards. Moreover, one person’s personal freedom should not violate another’s freedom. Therefore, freedom can be defined as the ability to realize one’s interests without violating other people’s personal boundaries.
Reference
Anker, E. (2022). The exploitation of ‘Freedom’ in America. The New York Times. Web.