HUM2020 FREEDOM DQ

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School

Santa Fe College *

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2020

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Arts Humanities

Date

Feb 20, 2024

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docx

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Uploaded by DoctorHornetMaster993

Lucas Guschmer Darrick Taylor HUM2020 1, In your own words, what is freedom? Is freedom important to you? Why or why not? Freedom is the chance to speak and act without restraining in between things that are permitted. For me freedom is important because it helps to know how people are and how do they act. 2, In the poem, “To Althea From Prison,” Richard Lovelace says he is free even though he is in prison. What makes him think this? Do you agree you can be free in prison? Richard Lovelace's "To Althea From Prison": Lovelace writes in the poem that even though he is physically imprisoned, he is free in his soul and intellect. He thinks that no matter what happens outside of oneself, one has the freedom to think and feel as they like. This implies that freedom may exist inside despite external limitations. It is debatable if someone can be fully free when imprisoned. While some might contend that physical imprisonment results in the loss of some liberties, others like Lovelace would contend that mental freedom is preserved. 3, In Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s The Social Contract , he says in a just society, a citizen “will be forced to be free.” What does he mean by that? Do you agree? If so, what things should be people be forced to do (or not to do)? According to Rousseau, in a just society, everyone is expected to follow the general will, which is the people's collective will that seeks the common good. This might entail 'forcing' people to abide by rules and laws put in place for the good of the society. He contends that even if it requires some limitations, this kind of "force" guarantees that people align with the greater good rather than restricting their freedom. The concept is controversial because it prompts discussions over how to strike a balance between people's rights and the greater good. 4, What reasons does John Stuart Mill give for why unpopular or erroneous opinions should not be suppressed? According to Mill, even incorrect or unpopular opinions have intrinsic value since they contradict traditional beliefs, encourage critical thought, and encourage the pursuit of the truth. Suppressing these viewpoints impedes the advancement of society and the growth of the individual by preventing the exploration of other viewpoints. Allowing opposing viewpoints helps society grow by fostering intellectual conflict, which results in a more complex and sophisticated knowledge of reality as well as a more robust society.

5, In his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” Martin Luther King Jr. says that “any law that is not rooted in eternal and natural law” is unjust. What did he mean by this? Why do laws that contradict natural law harm our freedom according to King? King speaks of "eternal and natural law," which elevates moral precepts over laws created by humans. Laws that go against these core values undermine freedom by fostering oppression, injustice, and inequality. King contends that these laws split society and violate people's rights and sense of dignity. Legislation that is at odds with core moral principles prevents true freedom and equity for everyone from being realized. 6, According to Vaclav Havel, what is the “Power of the Powerless”? How can you be free while livinvvbdvvdg under a totalitarian system like the Soviet Union (i.e., communism)? According to Havel, the "Power of the Powerless" refers to a person's capacity to thwart an oppressive system by standing your ground against its intimidation and deceit. He highlights the resilience that comes from living a genuine life and sticking to one's convictions in the face of opposition. He contends that people may weaken the hold of repressive institutions by upholding their integrity and leading genuine lives. Havel suggests that by acting in disobedience and defending one's own principles and facts, one might maintain inner freedom even in a totalitarian society. Nelson Mandela, in his Rivonia Trial Speech, highlights the denial of political, economic, and social freedoms to black Africans in South Africa, similar to the complaints of Martin Luther King Jr. in his "Letter from a Birmingham Jail," where both address the lack of civil rights and unjust treatment faced by their respective communities. In free, democratic cultures, the "Tank Man" picture is a powerful symbol of bravery in the face of injustice, bridging political divides and encouraging the defense of liberties and human rights. It serves as a reminder of the strength of the individual and the battle for democracy throughout history.

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HUM2020 FREEDOM DQ

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