Throughout the history of the United States, we have enjoyed many freedoms, demanded many freedoms, and lost many freedoms.
Freedom is important to us. Citizens have been imprisoned for taking away someone else’s freedom or for demanding a freedom not permitted by the government. Others have died defending freedom and for demanding freedom for themselves or others.
Some freedoms such as freedom of speech are enshrined in the Bill of Rights. Others are embodied in amendments to the Constitution, such as the right of women to vote. Others are written into laws, such as the American Disability Act.
But none of these freedoms are guaranteed. The Bill of Rights and the Constitution are subject to judicial review. Laws can be changed or eliminated. Freedom is, therefore, a mutable thing, not a God-given right.
Recently, the idea of freedom has come to the forefront in the controversy over wearing a protective mask to prevent the spread of the coronovirus. On one side, people reject the idea of the putting on a mask because it challenges their personal freedom of choice. On the other side, people demand that those who refuse to wear a mask be subject to punishment for rejecting to do something that protects others.
This stark contrast between personal choice and protecting others spotlights the true nature of freedom. There is no way an individual who lives in a society can be totally free to make up their own rules. True freedom is to be free from harm by others. In other words, no one in a just society has the freedom to harm others.
This principle is found in John Stuart Mill’s “On Liberty” (1859). He writes, “…actions as are prejudicial to the interests of others, the individual is accountable, and may be subjected either to social or to legal punishments, if society is of opinion that the one or the other is requisite for its protection.” Learn more here: Reformulating Mill’s Harm Principle.
If we see true freedom as being free from being harmed by others, it changes everything we do. Individuals do not have the freedom to infect others, any more than they have the freedom to kill. Rich people do not have the freedom to exploit poor people. Political parties do not have the freedom to prevent people from voting. Owners and operator of businesses do not have the freedom to destroy the earth we live on to make a profit.
To explore a historical view of the concept of freedom from harm, read “We’re Still Living and Dying in the Slaveholder’s Republic.”
Questions to Ask about Freedom
In discussing children’s literature with your children or students, consider adding these questions.
Who in this story is causing harm to others?
Why are they free to do this?
Who in this story is being harmed?
How does this make them less free?
What can be done to protect them?
Find great TPN recommended books to discuss here.
An education capable of saving humanity is no small undertaking; it involves preparing young people to understand the times in which they live.
Maria Montessori
