From: pacodegallo@attbi.com
Date: Sun Oct 06 2002 - 16:23:58 BST
Hi Steve,
Good questions. Here is my take on them.
STEVE:
In the wake of 9/11/01, the word freedom was used
extensively. Americans
were told by their leaders and Americans told one
another that the terrorist
attack was an attack on Freedom.
PACO:
Radical wings of Islamic fundamentalism are absolutely
opposed to democracy, free enterprise and the
separation of church and state. Their vision is not one
of LIBERTY, but rather one of strict religious
observance as written in the Koran and interpreted by
themselves. (though this is just one dimension of their
motives)
STEVE:
My first thought was that freedom
doesnıt really mean anything specific. It is more of a
reference to our
sacred story of the American Revolution that defines
the American religion.
Freedom means George Washington and Thomas Jefferson,
the stars and stripes,
and the Declaration of Independence though not
literally freedom from the
tyranny of kings. (Freedom from tyranny is an
interesting ideal for the
most powerful country in the world.) Saying that the
9/11 attack was an
attack on freedom is just another way of saying it is
an attack on America
but with religious undertones.
PACO:
The concept of freedom and liberty that the US built
its constitution around was heavily influenced by the
enlightenment philosophers, especially John Locke.
Locke built the influential argument that government
must have the consent of the governed. A government
must be legitimate and it is the people who decide its
legitimacy. He also suggested that the people have
rights to life, liberty and property. Jefferson changed
the last one to pursuit of happiness, and with the help
of Madison and gang they studied all available
political philosophy and history back to at least the
Classic Greeks. The government that they built was
heavily focused on liberty and freedom, and not just
from tyrants, but from mobs, outside influences and
special interest groups.
The US model, though nowhere near perfect out the gate,
set an example that redefined what was possible with
govt legitimacy, separation of church and state,
representative democracy, rights etc. These concepts
also play out in the other two movements flowering out
of the enlightenment, namely free enterprise and the
scientific method (free enquiry, speech, etc). The
Constitution's principles, which continued to evolve
over the next 100 years or so, and its subsequent
success (and failures) influenced virtually every
nation on earth, especially after WWII.
STEVE:
Some restrictions on personal freedom exist to increase
freedom in
another sense. So my question is, how would you
characterize this ideal of
freedom? The more cynical among us roll their eyes at
the sound of the word
because they think that it doesnıt mean anything or
that we are hypocrites,
but I think there is something to it, though I donıt
know how to describe
it. I would say that itıs a freedom to be all you can
be sort of thing, but
Iım hoping that someone can clarify it for me. The
discussion of morals
suggests that a morality might be built on the idea of
freedom.
PACO:
I think freedom/liberty is essential within the MOQ.
Jefferson defined liberty as "unobstructed action."
However, he clarified that RIGHTFUL LIBERTY
is "unobstructed action... within limits drawn around
us by the equal rights of others." I think that says
it well, and it certainly does not align with
establishing a government, morality , economy and
measure of legitimacy based upon the Koran.
I don't have the time to delve too deep into your
larger question, but I will say that Dynamic Quality
certainly involves the freedom to experiment, improve
and to gain in versatility. Also, check out *Non Zero*
by Wright. It explores the progress of quality
(biologically, socially and intellectually) in terms of
positive-sum (win/win) interactions. In other words,
actions between quality patterns that maximizes freedom
without hurting any patterns is good. Even better
though are interactions that benefit all parties
involved while maximizing versatily/freedom.
Paco
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