Memento Mori

[abcdavid01]

Freedom, in the sense of Liberalism, is the domain of God. Man, however, is not God. He is not immortal, nor omniscient, nor omnipresent.

Those who are free are truly savages. The homeless miscreant struggles for food and shelter. The empty soul cries out for meaning. What freedom is this?

Are wild animals truly free? The animal's concern is survival. It must keep to strict routines or it will fall victim to predators.

The trade is not between freedom and security; security is freedom's goal. This is the process from which civilization emerges.

Freedom is necessary at times for greater security. This means freedom for medical experimentation, which allows people to live healthier, more able lives. Innovation requires freedom to create security - lightbulbs, central heating, more efficient sources of energy production, etc. Even arts and entertainment require greater freedom to create security of man's mind.

What is self actualization but security of mind?

Freedom is an investment with the reward of security. Like any investment it can fail and too many failures lead to bankruptcy. In finance this refers to monetary bankruptcy; in sociology this means moral bankruptcy.

When man is too successful he begins to forget the traditions which lead his ancestors to victory. This is when empires fall.

[abcdavid01]

The pyramid shape is a wonderfully apt metaphor. This is what good politics looks like.

The quote in my signature may seem to contradict this post but it is meant to point out the near impossibility of self actualization and the problems of claiming to be a God too early.