Do we really all have the ability to act freely? – Areeb

Freedom is said to be the ability to do whatever we like, to be under the rules of no man. I, however, think we all act on the demand of a system, we cannot help but act accordingly.  Think of human beings as minuscule particles all following our religion, our job or even our body.  We always work for someone else, we follow what we are told and if we don’t, we are ostracized by society. Yet, even then we cannot enjoy freedom. 

“In a rich man’s house, there is no place to spit but his face”, said the infamous Greek cynic philosopher Diogenes. Diogenes could be called a free man. He did whatever he wished. He lived in a barrel on the streets, defecated in public and insulted philosophers. He did not follow the laws at that time nor did he care about morals. However, would you envy his life? Yes, he acted freely at least in terms of the laws or morals at that time but true freedom is not the same as a sparrow leaving its cage and flying into the sky. True freedom is living a life looked down upon by others, separated from society and a life with parasites.

To answer your question, yes we might just have the ability to live freely to a certain extent, however, would you want such a life? Humans have created a system where ascension in society is due to respect, income and knowledge. When we attempt to be a ‘black sheep’, we are unfortunately separated from society and must look out for ourselves for survival.