About Radical Freedom
According to Jean-Paul Sartre (1905–1980), a French philosopher and political activist, every person has radical freedom. What distinguishes radical freedom from “normal” freedom? It denotes people to be fully free so that every choice they make can ultimately be traced back to them and them only.
Altough you may experience peer pressure, time constraints or other forms of external pressure, you are only one to make that course of action of your own free will. You made the choice to give in to their demands. Hence you can neither escape the consequences of nor your responsibility for your own actions.
I used to ponder about this when I was younger, even before I’d ever heard of Sartre mentioning it. Everyone always makes excuses all the time for what they ultimately do/don’t do, but in principle they can do whatever they want, can’t they? One of the benefits of studying philosophy (or any theoretical subject for that matter) is that you know which ideas have already been thought out before and which haven’t. Instead you can come up with your own original ideas, or synthesize new and old ones.
But that’s besides the point of this article. I’d like to talk about the implications of radical freedom and lack thereof.
A lot of people in pressing situations make a show out of blaming/excusing themselves for people or external factors for a choice that they, in the end, actually made on their own:
“My abusive parents made me do it”
“My horrible teacher made me do it”
“My boss made me do it”
“My peers made me do it”
“My partner made me do it”
“My violent video games made me do it”
“The devil made me do it”
etc. etc. etc.
Sure, you were in your moment of weakness or whatever, but still… You freely chose to do it. It’s a matter of individual decision-making. You felt like you “had” to do it even though you technically needn’t have done it, albeit for good reasons sometimes (your teacher could’ve given you a mark for not doing your homework, as an example). But other times what people are doing when they use these excuses, are lifting their responsibility onto others. This is poor conduct in itself, but when these excuses manifest themselves in, say, careers and aspirations, it becomes truly gruesome:
“It’s too hard to write texts; I give up”
YOU ALONE made the choice to give up on writing, not anyone else. The “hardness” of the task is not to blame entirely; it’s also your interpretation of the context, and your willingness to face obstacles. Maybe writing is not for you; that’s okay. Discover another activity you’re certain you want to develop your skills in, and don’t give up if you find it hard at first.
If people in general were a little bit more persistent and resilient in their struggle, accepting multiple failures and tremendous inadequacy along the way, they’d eventually find the golden nugget. They’d actually hit upon success, having made something of quality. Keep on going. Find your way. This builds confidence & skills. Not to mention the achievements and pride that follows.
According to Sartre, if you for instance made the situation out to be as if there were no other choices than this alternative or these two (black-white thinking), and believing that you were not responsible for the choice, you’re acting in BAD FAITH. Don’t try to delude yourself into thinking that you’re not really free or have no responsibility. You have many more possibilities than you imagine. Be responsible and use them.
The notion of radical freedom has made me recognize that I can do whatever I want in life. Individualism, apart from its excessive consumerist nature, is what truly fulfills the ambitions and ideals of man, especially with a higher purpose involved. I’m gradually being pulled towards new activities, interests and inclinations which fit the higher aims of my being(what Nietzsche called the organizing idea).
Radical freedom has also made me more aware of how I live my life. If I am the only person in the world who spend my time and life as I wish and make my own, individual choices while no one else can or will do that for me, that’s a bit scary at first. That means that the only person you can blame for wasting your life, is yourself. Painful, but true. And it’s the veracity of this fact that makes me strive to live the best life possible under my own circumstances, passions and beliefs.
Thus, I become much happier. And that’s what matters the most concerning freedom.
