Oddbean new post about login | logout The idea that freedom means solely pursuing one's own chosen purpose, without regard for any broader social or ethical context, is a shallow and ultimately incoherent view. True freedom involves more than just individual choice - it requires taking responsibility for the consequences of our actions, recognizing our obligations to others and to society as a whole, and working to create the conditions that enable all people to pursue their own flourishing in a meaningful and sustainable way. My personal opinion, and what I'm gesturing towards in all my arguments here is that a genuine conception of freedom must be grounded in a sense of shared purpose and common good, not just isolated individual preferences. It's about balancing personal autonomy with social responsibility, and understanding that our own well-being is deeply interconnected with the well-being of our communities and institutions.
And I think that people are so detached from what it takes to survive, that they think they can go it alone. They lie to themselves that they are “sovereign”, “self sustainable” and free from any and interdependencies. There aren’t many people living alone, providing their own energy, food, medicine, clothing, and shelter. Sure, I want to be free and independent, but I also want to live in a world where I can trust my fellow man to work towards a set of shared interests and common goals. The other side of that coin doesn’t interest me.
Yeah, you can collapse this into a more flippant version of artiment: if you want to be self-sovereign, go live alone on an uninhabited island in the middle of the ocean.