A podcast delves into the concept of freedom, discussing its various definitions and limitations. Topics include the brain's decision-making process, strange Twitter retweets, Canadian politics, a movie about saving children from sex trafficking, Mormons and QAnon, Liam Neeson's role in movies and child trafficking, the complexity of freedom, different philosophical perspectives on freedom, and the reflective state's role in revolutionary change.
Freedom is a complex concept that encompasses more than just the absence of external interference.
The perception of freedom varies across cultural, societal, and political contexts.
Our sense of freedom emerges through our engagement with the world and our projects, influenced by external factors and societal conditions.
Deep dives
The Complex Nature of Freedom
Freedom is a concept that is often discussed and interpreted differently. It can refer to the absence of external constraints or interference, or it can encompass the idea of self-imposed laws and choices. However, the notion of pure freedom, free from any determinism or external influence, is questioned as a metaphysical concept. The world and our experiences in it play a significant role in shaping our sense of freedom, with both internal and external factors contributing to our perceptions. Our freedom is not a constant state, and we may not always be aware of it. Despite this, the limited freedom we have influences the meaning and significance we derive from life.
Different Conceptions of Freedom
There are multiple conceptions of freedom, including the liberal idea of freedom as the absence of external constraints and the ability to act without interference. Marxist perspectives redefine freedom within a social context, focusing on liberation from ownership of the means of production and the ability to sell one's labor on the market. However, the perception of freedom can vary depending on cultural, societal, and political contexts. For instance, the contrast between Western notions of freedom and perceptions of freedom in other countries, such as China, are often used to emphasize the differences in social and political systems.
Freedom and Concrete Experience
Our freedom is not always consciously experienced or recognized in the moment of decision-making. The phenomenological perspective suggests that our sense of freedom emerges through our engagement with the world and the projects we undertake. Freedom is not solely an individual's choice, but also influenced by external factors and societal conditions. Class consciousness and revolutionary potential can arise from concrete experiences of shared obstacles and exploitation. The reflective state, characterized by introspection and contemplation, plays a role in our understanding of freedom but is not the primary driver of revolutionary change. Instead, the world and our embodied interactions with it shape our perceptions and meaning of freedom.
Freedom as self-determination and conscious projects
In this podcast episode, the hosts discuss the concept of freedom, drawing upon the works of Hobbes, Rousseau, and Merleau-Ponty. They highlight that freedom should be understood as self-determination and the ability to engage in conscious projects. They emphasize that freedom is not simply the absence of constraints, but rather a positive account of the capacity to act and make choices. Regardless of one's circumstances, even in a prison cell, individuals still have the freedom to engage in projects and make decisions based on their existential situation and bodily consciousness. They argue that freedom cannot be detached from the social and cultural conditions in which individuals find themselves.
The interconnectedness of freedom and the existential situation
In addition to discussing freedom as self-determination, the hosts explore the notion that freedom is inextricably linked to the existential situation. They highlight how the world and social factors influence an individual's availability of choices and the possibilities for freedom. They argue that the dichotomy between determinism and freedom is misguided, emphasizing that one's freedom is not separate from the situation in which they exist. The hosts note that the richness of freedom lies in the interplay between body consciousness, subjectivity, social structures, and the world. They caution against overly simplistic views of freedom and emphasize the importance of recognizing and understanding the constraints and influences that shape our choices and possibilities.
Everyone speaking on freedom but nobody's asking what it means. "Freedom-from interference" is a 400-year-old definition that covers a few bases but not much beyond that. We looked to Maurice Merleau-Ponty's phenomenology in this book (https://amzn.to/3OdpzwL) to give us something a little better. Pill Pods #59, #60, #61, #62 are all about Merleau-Ponty in more detail. Find all the episodes at https://www.patreon.com/plasticpills
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