Putting a Face on Freedom :: Philosophy Philosophical Papers

Putting a Face on FreedomWhat is Freedom? Freedom in and of itself defies definition since its very mall and parameters can be shown only with its constraints and limitations. If one state of being is otiose to stand on its own merits and must rely on other to have structure, can it never truly be free. Therein lies the badinage emancipation is forever encapsulated by its limitations, regardless of its range. Without evident barriers, it could not exist. If it is at bottom barriers, can it truly exist? This paper will discuss the humanity of freedom and several of its forms. Although much sought after, gaining freedom usually involves discordance and war. With the splitting of the Catholic Church in the Reformation, many restraints on science, piety and education vanish, causing a rebirth of knowledge and philosophical thought. Although fragmented, the Catholic Church is by no means vanquished, so inevitable conflicts arise. The conflicts argon not confined to the battl efield, though, they occur more often than not in the form of books and documents. With wars, famine and social upheaval accompanying the Reformation, men sometimes lament the passing of the former system (a unified Church) which, though imperfect, at least provides some stability. Thomas More, a critic of King atomic number 1 VIII, cleverly disguises his criticisms in his literature. He writes about a tightly regulate society, Utopia, where there are no social strata and people of all spiritual persuasions can live harmoniously with one another, to freely practice their religions without tutelage of reproach. Though there seems to be an abundance of freedom, including religious, there are a few hitchessuch as having to obtain permission from your father and married woman before exploring the countryside, wearing the same clothing as everyone else, having no initiative for social advancement and compulsory theism (your choice of deities, however) he (Utopus) made a solemn a nd severe law against such as shouldthink that our souls died with our bodies, or that the world was governed by chance, without a wise overruling Providence (More, p. 747). Mores Utopia offers freedoms some might cherish, but others would find it unbearably restrictive. Even those of a religious bent might have looked askance at Utopias forced theism policy. Is it freedom? Some might think so if they believed freedom of religion didnt include freedom from religion.