FREEDOM

Freedom, like other concepts, is fruitful for human beings in particular situations. The mere repetition of the ‘Freedom! Freedom!’ slogan is as idle, bootless and disillusioning as any other unfulfilled or unfulfillable promise. Any unbalance or maladjustment, whether individual or social, should be examined on its merits. A general prescription of ‘freedom’ as an answer for all individuals and all social situations is unsatisfactory and under certain conditions it may be as dangerous as any other guaranteed universal cure-all.

Perhaps the most obvious aspect of the freedom idea is its separatist character. Freedom implies separateness, -including preparations for division or departure, the actual process of separation, and the subsequent independence which results from separation.

If the first question confronting a human being is “to be or not to be”; the second question is “to belong or not to belong.” Belonging means attachment. Freedom means detachment. Those who are attached go along together. Those who detach go their own separate ways. The implications of separateness are present in the life of each individual and of each group and sub-group composing the human race.

From birth (which involves separation from the mother) the individual human is confronted by a dilemma,--to remain as close as possible to the mother or to break away, separate himself from the mother and strike out on his own account. If he remains close to the mother he enjoys the security of comfort, companionship and love. If he breaks away, he enjoys the thrill of initiating, adventuring, experimenting.