The Importance of Human Freedom, Essay Example in Philosophy

The importance of Human freedom

Human freedom has dominated the philosophy world for centuries, due to its close links with the moral responsibility. Apparently, the human freedom is a crucial element to the humanity due to its broad application in the society. Freedom is needed in multiple fields such relationships, movement, religion, government and its citizens, legal system, financial sphere, education and other areas that require the consent mind of a person. It is through human freedom that an individual is free from constraints or restrictions that can limit one’s ability to behave or act in some ways. Apparently, different factors can be used to enhance human freedom. Reading or literacy is considered to be an integral component in the freedom of an individual. Literacy is viewed as a core element of the human rights since it facilitates the development of a person in various areas of life. It follows there numerous benefits or importance of freedom that are obtained through literacy.

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There has been a significant development in the human freedom. Currently, people are enjoying the freedom of worshipping, freedom of expression and other sets of human rights that have since transformed the outlook of the society. What ought to be acknowledged is that the freedom that the nation is enjoying today came with a price from diversifying perspectives. Development of human rights in various communities was facilitated with the improvement of literacy in the community. Before the establishment of human rights, there were a lot of activism that pushed for the recognition of rights for some marginalized or underprivileged individuals in the society. Malcom X, Fredrick Douglas, and Friedrich Nietzsche are some of the historical icons who were integral in the pursuit of developing fundamental human freedom. Throughout their activism, it was apparent that they utilized their literacy levels to push for their cause.

Black Muslim community

Malcolm X was considered to be an outspoken activist from the Black Muslim community. Previously, Martin Luther King Jr. had advocated for nonviolent means to protest against any forms that were directly in violation of human rights in the community. However, Malcolm X opted to go against Luther King’s doctrine of nonviolent protest and asked his supporters to employ available options to fight against the white hostility to the blacks. (Foner and Garraty 4). Malcolm's success is credited to his eloquence and charisma which made him be an influential leader when it comes to fighting for the rights of the sidelined Islamic community and the young black people who were in seemed to be lost in the segregated America. From his activism, it is highlighted that Malcolm used the power of knowledge to influence the outcome of his activism.

Fredrick Douglas is also another historical figure, whose efforts towards human rights can be attributed to the power of reading. Fredrick was motivated by a belief that alleges that it is only through struggle that a meaningful progress can be made. According to Fredrick, for one to harvest, he/she has to plant some seeds (Jones 3). Douglas is said to have been a renowned skilled writer. He was also a brilliant speaker as well as an excellent businessman. All these aspects were integral when it comes to his efforts ensuring there is freedom as well as social justice to everyone in the society. His prowess in literacy skills was crucial since they enlightened and inspired people as far as their fundamental rights to freedom are concerned. For instance, through the speech he wrote for blacks, Fredrick can communicate his deeper thoughts regarding the freedom of the African Americans, who were whose rights were being abused and violated.

From his inclination towards literacy skills as a medium to showcase his fight for freedom and social justice for disadvantaged people in the community, it can be asserted that one’s ability to read is vital as far as access to freedom and human rights is concerned (Foner 20). It follows that Fredrick Douglas was a key figure towards the fight for freedom for the slaves in America. Friedrich Nietzsche was also played a significant role towards the achievement of the human freedom. According to Nietzsche, freedom should be viewed as the will that makes individuals responsible for themselves. In his philosophy, Nietzsche champions for people to be accountable for their morality. He acknowledges that human freedom can only be meaningful if one’s morality is culminated by his/her free will.

The importance of liberty

Freedom plays an integral component in the lives of human beings. It is through freedom that individuals can be themselves by doing what they desire as long as it does not hinder the rights of others (Fredrick Douglass Heritage 6). It follows that there is no absolute freedom: freedom is only enjoyed in limits as a way of protecting the rights of others. If human beings experienced complete freedom, it could have been chaotic since it could have led to extensive incidences of lawlessness and widespread violation of other people’s rights to freedom. In the contemporary world, different countries have different approaches when it comes to defining the constraints of human freedom. Irrespective of one’s country, a balance should be struck between the rights of a person and the goals and responsibilities of a country towards the protection of its bills or rights. The great emphasis put on the bills of rights indicate that freedom is essential to the development of the nation.

Freedom through reading helps people to fully understand their rights as the civilians. Through reading, people gets enlightened and inspired, which in turn gives them an upper hand when it comes to understanding their core human rights and freedom. Malcolm utilized his vast knowledge on the rights of the individual, prompting him to fight for the rights of the Islamic people and other disadvantaged youthful black Americans (Foner and Garraty 4). Freedom obtained through reading is significant since it gives one courage and confidence to denounce any form of social injustice in the society. For instance, Malcolm believed that the social injustices that Black Americans were undergoing were not going to be solved by a mere nonviolent approach, as it had been used by Martin Luther King Jr., Malcom urged his supporters to apply all viable options to eradicate the mistreatments directed to the week people in the society. Malcolm used his freedom of speech and expression during campaigns to rally people against violation of human rights.

Freedom of expression

Freedom of expression through literacy can lead to a significant revolution in the society. Malcolm X resulted in the Cultural Revolution in the America. He utilized his charisma and eloquence to woo people into supporting his activism. He used his freedom of expression, worship, and movement to meet various people. Through his actions, ideologies and beliefs, Malcolm was able to shape the society’s perspective towards issues such as religion and race (Foner and Garraty 6). Freedom obtained through reading also gives one an opportunity to assess and create the identity he/she wants to embrace, at free will. For instance, the freedom of expression and choice helped Malcom change his status. Initially, Malcom’s last name was ‘Little’; however, as part of his activism, Malcom opted to change his last name to “X” as a way declining the slavery identity portrayed his former last name.

Literacy is also essential when it comes to fighting for the rights or freedom of the underprivileged in the society. Fredrick Douglass used his literacy power to champion for the rights and freedom Black Americans, who were suffering from social injustices under the white supremacy (Fredrick Douglass Heritage 6).Fredrick was a renowned orator, who was proficient in writing skills. This made him an excellent speaker, which was a vital tool in freeing the slaves. For instance, through his freedom of speech and expression, Fredrick was able to impart his ideologies on the slavery to the entire society. This played an integral role in the freeing up of the slaves, consequently, leading to the Emancipation Proclamation. From this achievement of Fredrick towards freedom, it can be claimed that Freedom acquired through reading is vital in solving various problems affecting the community at any given time. People have the free will to explore ways that can bring viable solutions to the situation at hand.

Freedom through literacy is also vital since pushes for the formulation of a society that is stable and characterized by an element of equality and respect to the rights and freedom of other members. For instance, through the ideologies of Fredrick on freedom, the community started observing equality and mutual respect to the rights of all citizens within the country. The freedom of expression and movement enables one to impart his ideologies to people which in turn can transform the community. Fredrick was a leader of civil rights (Fredrick Douglass Heritage 6). He treasured using his freedom to educate, inspire and mentor people. It is claimed that on the day of his death, he had just arrived home from the meeting of the women’s rights. This attests that the power of literacy allows people to widen the scope of their knowledge on the matters of human freedom.

Freedom and literacy are inseparable

Freedom is also essential since it helps individuals to shun away from resentment of people and their surroundings. Friedrich Nietzsche advocates for the freedom that arises from the people’s moralities and their respective free will to do what is acceptable by doctrines to be right (Camus 57). According to Nietzsche theories, when a man lives under restrictions or constrictions, he becomes resentful of his master and eventual develops rebellious feelings or actions. As a way of retaliating to the forces that are confining them from being free, individuals can opt to do unimaginable and unacceptable deeds as a way of revenging and compensating or their situations. It is, therefore, imperative for the people to be set free to avoid feelings of the resentment.

Freedom and literacy are inseparable. These concepts complement each other since they depend on each other. A meaningful freedom can only be attained by individuals who can reason logically. Literacy broadens people’s understandings on various components of democracy and human rights.

Works Cited

Camus, Albert. "The Rebel; translated by Anthony Bower." Harmondsworth (1971): 57.

Foner, Eric and John A. Garraty. "Malcom X." Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company (1991): 1-9. print.

Foner, Philip S. The Life, and Writings of Frederick Douglass, Volume II. New York: International Publishers Co, 1950. print.

Fredrick Douglass Heritage. "Legacy and Significance of Frederick Douglass." Fredrick-douglas Heritage (2011): 2-9.

Jones, Robert. "Frederick Douglass – Champion of Freedom." Infinite Fire (2016): 1-6.

Kaufmann, Walter and R. J. Hollingdale. "Friedrich Nietzsche, On the Genealogy of Morals; Ecce homo." Vintage Books (1967): 36. print.