Freedom

Many people interpret freedom from their own point of view. But, what ever angle it is looked at, most them will agree on few basic ideas about freedom. Let us discuss it here.

What is freedom?

        Some may think that freedom is allowing anyone to do what ever he or she likes. But, what about it's consequences? What will be it's effect on social life? According to me, freedom is a way of life in which, a person has all rights to do anything he wants only without interfering into other's freedom.

What are the limits?

        Abraham Lincoln, during his presidency had a habit of walking on American Streets in disguise. One day, a fellow citizen was walking a few feet before him. He had a rope in his hand and was swinging it around as he was walking. Suddenly, the rope hit Lincoln's nose. When the president in disguise asked about it, the man carelessly replied that it was his freedom to swing the rope as he wishes. Lincoln replied to him that he had no freedom to hit others' nose in the name of freedom.

        Same way, we all have all rights to do whatever we want. But, any freedom has a limit. One has no rights to interfere into other person's freedom. If there is a disturbance caused by someone in that, then that cannot be called a real freedom.

Freedom of Speech

        The most important freedom necessary in this current world is 'Freedom of Speech'. Freedom of Speech does not mean that one can speak anything publicly. As like other freedoms, Freedom of Speech also has some limits. One has all rights to give a public opinion. But, that will be meaningful only when it has some boundaries like:

• speech should have clarity [others should clearly understand without any assumptions about the context of the speech]
• speech should not be abusive [words spoken should be properly placed so that no one is abused by words. Code of conduct is very important in speech]
• speech should be a personal opinion [or when we try to quote others' opinion, we should know the authenticity and truthfulness of that information]

Social Media and Freedom

        Today, due to the popularity of social media, one should be extra cautious about what he or she speaks or posts in social media. It is because, the reach of audience is large there. A word uttered in haste may be disastrous.

        Tamil veteran poet Thiruvalluvar has rightly said about freedom of speech, before 2000 odd years as follows:

யாகாவா ராயினும் நாகாக்க காவாக்கால்
சோகாப்பர் சொல்லிழுக்கு பட்டு.

which means,

You may choose to leave anything unguarded. But, always guard your tongue. Otherwise, errors in speech will lead to miserable life.