If freedom is defined as doing exactly what one pleases, then there would not exist true freedom in our established society. More generally speaking, under this notion, no single person would be considered free. For example, is not possible for anyone to be free from hunger, thirst and ultimately death. We all have to live in a world where we have some means of income to survive. We cant be free from that unless we reject society and go live off in the middle of nowhere. Even in that case we wouldnt be free from the wrath of mother nature. The entire concept of freedom is subject to each individuals interpretation of it. However at least one point can made about it. As humans strive for freedom, they must actively assert it. Freedom exists in action, even if it is just as simple as stating it. (Marcel, pg. 22) Consider the following analogy as an explanation to this point. Take the case of a slave who believes that he has probable cause for thinking that he has more freedom than his master. Presuppose that he is given adequate sustenance, as well as shelter, and is not subjected to any sort of violence. His only task is that he is required to clean the house on a daily basis. If he works as hard and as fast as he possibly can, he can usually do the job in two hours. As a reward for doing so, he is given enough money to actively pursue his own interests, to the extent that he desires. His master, on the other hand, must work eight to ten hours, on average, per day, to ensure that he enjoys the same basic benefits as the slave as well as others. However, these other benefits are fairly time consuming and cannot be pursued due to the masters level of fatigue and previous time commitments. Although the master has control over the slave in this case, who really has more freedom in the end? Freedom in its most purest sense is only an ideal that may not be entirely practical in our reality. Just consider the previous exa...
