The idea of freedom

When we call something an idea, instead of calling it a thing, we reduce the seriousness attached to it. We reduce its status from that of a strict, inviolable code to that of a guidebook which is to be used only for reference and not to be taken literally. Too much seriousness regarding any moral code pushes society to oscillate between extremes instead of finding a balance.

The idea of freedom has evolved and refined itself, passing, on its way, through struggles and tests, all of which have only added to the embellishment of this idea. Freedom means different things to people from different cultures.

A particular kind of freedom which I want to write about today is - the freedom to fulfil responsibilities.

When it comes to individual rights vs. social responsibilities, the narrative we often come across is that the right to freedom is empowering upto a point, but too much freedom to the individual pulls the individual away from his responsibilities towards society. I believe that the need to belong to a community is inherent to us and that everyone wants to belong to society and fulfil their obligations towards society. It is when society expects individuals to fulfil their duties in a very rigid manner that the individual feels conflicted between his needs and that of society, and distances himself from society to escape the pain of conflict. Had the individual been allowed to fulfil his responsibilities in a manner of his choosing, the individual would become stronger and participate in society with greater authenticity, thereby contributing to the strength, dynamism and resilience to that society's social system.

Take for example, the duty towards the nation. For some people, nationalism is the priority they give to their nation over other nations, for some, it's an identity, for others something else. There are people who do not know what nation is, yet throughout their lifetime they add positive value to quality of life of people around them. 

People should be allowed to fulfil their responsibilities in ways that are equitable, i.e., which put equitable weight on everyone. Expecting everyone to walk in a line is not the same as treating them equally. For some people, conforming to a single file is easier as they have less developed skepticism and they may be very used to conformity. For others who are non-conformists, those who have a creative and curious mind, walking in same line as others may not involve equal effort, and may be much difficult and burdensome than what is comprehensible to the conformist minds.

Freedom to fulfil responsibilities free the individuals from shackles of rigid codes, and allow them to reinterpret them so that they may contribute to the society with greater authenticity and enthusiasm in a manner of their own choosing, so that the impact of their contribution can be to the maximum benefit of the whole society.  When this freedom is denied, individual loses connection with his society, and searches for another social group, thereby causing loss to the original social group which could have been benefited had it been a little more tolerant.

I've written these thoughts in one go without editing. They might be a bit disorganised. I would let them be.