Phenomenology is described as the philosophical study of objectively - as lived and experienced. The idea of freedom is unique to that of the beholder, to each their own opinions lay and values hold. Most people summarize their opinions on freedom from an innate want of freedom - freedom to exist, freedom to live happy, freedom from responsibility - which causes people to live their lives in a perpetual state of working towards their desire for freedom. However, a question that is often forgotten in the depths of their reasoning is, ‘’What is freedom?’’. People only think of freedom in their own definition; there is not a universal definition. Why is that the case? I believe that it is a definite decision to not have a universal definition of what freedom is, especially compared to other feelings or periods of time. For example, there is a universal definition for ‘’independent’’ which universally means to be supportive of one's own self, not dependent on other variables. But then why does freedom not have this same treatment? It is to create free thinking, to have a definition be written by each individual, as the opinion of freedom is typically tied to something holding people down. To find freedom from the entrapment and enslavement of a cycle. A cycle that was determined by a lifestyle and characterized by experiences that one does not wish to repeat. So by a unique cycle being created by each person living and experiencing change, what ways is the phenomenology of freedom objective?
1. Existential Perspective on Freedom
The famous French philosopher Albert Camus described existentialism as the lack of meaning in life - man is incapable of knowing the meaning of existing, the reason for existence. Camus famously wrote the ‘’The Myth of Sisyphus’’ which explored the idea of confronting the absolute in life which is death. In the same book, he explored the ethical and moral principles of suicide. Although he doesn’t advocate or suggest it, he ties it to the existential idea of value in life and what would be the effect of your life stopping. It is in this realization that death is inevitable and that it is statistically significant that we are people living so it is our freedom to enjoy and live life as explorers. It is freeing to know that something is certain at the end of the line and that as humans our mortality is limited based on the absurdity which is life. ‘’The confrontation of man with the irrational’’ -- Albert Camus. This quote is essential to the existentialism of freedom. We are free to view the irrational in life as whatever we choose to view it as, it will forever be an anomaly that will plagued our existence, just like us Camus claims. The radical freedom to make any choice we want and the idea that there are no absurd external factors defining the decisions we make as we ourselves are absurd is something that relates to the existential freedom Camus claims we have.
2. Freedom of Ethical Principles and Theories
Different ethical principles offer distinct perspectives on life, relationships, ideas, and a multitude of other things. One thing it specifically offers is the relationship between freedom and morality. For example, deontological ethics. Deontological ethics is the emphasis of acting and living in the most virtuous way possible, vying to do right in every decision and situation. In this context, we can connect freedom to doing right. You have the freedom to act in the balance of doing correct, according to your moral code. Living with the freedom to make decisions that are up to a code, limit that you align for yourself causes you to enact an interesting discussion. Is it truly freeing to set limits and moral code to which you abide by? On one side of the coin, you can think that having to live by certain standards is entrapping you to live a certain way, in that way, going against a widely accepted view of freedom - entrapment. Living one way is not open to other ways of living, causing actions to be somewhat predetermined. Imagine you feel so truly one way, causing you to want to act unvirtuous and yet you aren’t free to act on those actions. Is that true freedom? Yet on the other hand, you have to live by a moral code. You are free to live how you want, and you are freely choosing to live your life in what you believe is the best and righteous way. It is freeing to be the best; you alone are an honored one on the basis of your principles in comparison. Theory can only take you so far, and that’s why the ethical principles that people live by are greater indications on the description and opinions people have on the freedom they win with.
3. Condemn to be Free
When French Philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre said that each individual is, ‘’Condemned to be free’’ it is often misunderstood what he meant by that. The idea of being born only to be forced to be free can be often understood backwards. ‘’Freedom? Forcefully being free? Isn’t that the goal?’’ some might say in response to his thinking. But the true meaning of his quote is that freedom cannot be given; nor can it be forced. Freedom is only freeing when one earns it, discovers and lives the freedom they have obtained. Being forced to be free is the same as being free to carry responsibility and work. Sartre meant that when you are ‘’condemned to freedom’’ you are forced to take on responsibility that otherwise wouldn’t be on one's shoulder in the case that their freedom was acquired organically, not forced. The internal dread that can be had when one realizes that their freedom is not freeing of one's responsibilities, that their actions were predetermined by outside and external factors can be debilitating. In essence, Sartre is saying that mandatory freedom is based on a hierarchy system: you are answering to someone else and are taking on weight that is out of your control. This kind of freedom is not in one's own control. Is it then true freedom? Is it freeing to take on responsibilities that you yourself didn’t want or ask for. You didn’t act: you answered. The condemnation of freedom leads one to take responsibility for outside factors, which is something that when thought about, isn’t freedom. All in all, forced freedom is not freedom, it is a curse. The other side of the sea is not bright and shiny when you are forced to swim the length of the ocean.
4. The Autonomy of Freedom
The philosophy in the autonomy of freedom is a profound exploration of a person's capacity for self-sufficiency, rational decision-making, and the basis of one's own values. Autonomy, in this context, signifies more than just the absence of external factors; it embodies the nature of freedom. To be free of all background influences, to live virtuously through what you believe, the various philosophical traditions, the autonomy of freedom aligns closely with the existentialist belief that individuals are condemned to be free like previously mentioned in the last paragraph. This philosophy asserts that the exercise of freedom demands an increased sense of responsibility, as individuals must find a world devoid of predetermined meanings or values they don’t believe in. The renowned German philosopher Immanuel Kant's moral philosophy, the emphasis on treating individuals as extensions of themselves, contributes to the ethical principle of freedom. Autonomy implies the ability to make choices in line with one's own rational deliberations and moral principles. Likewise, it intertwines with the idea of self accordance, where people, through their own reason, establish the principles and morals they conduct. The philosophy of autonomy in freedom established contemplation on the expression of one's values, the moral responsibility that follows such expression, and the ongoing process of self-improvement and self-definition that defines a life lived in accordance with one's own principles. It fosters a deep understanding of the relationship between individual autonomy and the ethical principles that guide freedom in a meaningful and self-determined manner.
5. The Freedom to End
A metaphor of sorts to this article. Having the freedom to pick and choose where the end goes is a symbolic and philosophical idea that clouds the minds. Decision making and the process of coming to conclusions is a process that is directly connected and weaved into the ethical code and principles that follow individuals. I for one am able to end this article, this paragraph, this sentence whenever I see fit as I am in control of this writing, I have the freedom to write for as little or long as I choose fit. This goes beyond writing, to a more overarching idea where people can make their own decisions to end something. To put a finishing touch on whatever they are working on. Goals and aspirations can be put to rest by an individual's freedom to end. Pain and suffering, tears shed, can be ended. All through the freedom that each process to end. It is up to determination and thought process to determine when and how to end, but the power still resides on ending. It is a freeing realization that to each individual, they are in control of their power to start and finish something: whenever that is. A book can be opened but never finished, a game can begin but not beat, and a test can be taken but not complete. Some of it may be out of control by other factors influencing a decision, but at the end of the day, it is each individual's options and decision making that leads to a decision being formalized. As the end comes, freedom reigns as it will continue even after the end, as freedom will never not be worked towards, for it is the ultimate goal in all fields. The goal to be free.
Sources:
https://www.thecollector.com/albert-camus-meaning-of-life/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Paul_Sartre