Cost Of Freedom

The notion of choice in an individual’s life is subject to constant questioning. We have what we like to call the freedom of decision-making, but often it simply seems like a facade. Many believe that one’s morals and ethics are solely responsible for the decisions they make, major or minor. Others attribute the external pressures surrounding them and societal factors as the facilitator of choices. Unquestionably, both personal characteristics and societal factors influence the the majority of choices of individuals everywhere. We must consider, however, that one plats more of a role than the other. Pieces of writing such as Christopher Browning’s Ordinary Men: Reserve Police Battalion 101 and the Final Solution in Poland, Michael Bess’ Choices Under Fire: Moral Dimensions of World War II, and Milton Mayer’s No Time to Think explore the idea of both influential aspects. Nonetheless, more influence can be attributed to societal factors and this idea is supported throughout all of the pieces of writing. Societal factors, for the most part, are composed of a plethora of external pressures that we either actively acquiesce to or subconsciously conform to. Societal factors play a much larger role for the average individual in regards to decision-making and this goes for individuals of all backgrounds and beliefs. This is shown in the lives of the Chambonnais, the Reserve Police Battalion, and the two famous experiments known as the Milgram Experiment and the Stanford Prison

The Unbearable lightness of choosing “Because you are in control of your life. Don't ever forget that. You are what you are because of the conscious and subconscious choices you have made.” -Barbara Hall, A Summons to New Orleans, 2000 I personally agree with the writer Jon Spayde on all the aspects he has mentioned in this paper. The writer has discoursed various facets regarding the importance of alternatives in one’s life. But, a very significant point mentioned in this article is, that when a certain individual is in a position to make his own choices or take his own decisions he must keep in mind that he alone will not be the one to face the consequences, but many people will be a part of his decisions. So one must give a serious thought when making a choice, which may have an impact not just on one life but, on the lives of many others. Mr. Spayde points out the fact, that having a choice is the luxury of the privileged class. The unprivileged class cannot afford the luxury of choice. Now the situation is not that bad but we all know that they have limited choices and this lack of choice causes a problem for them in certain situations. According to my own experience, though the lack of choices may cause hurdles at times, still, there deficiency is sometimes ‘a blessing in disguise’. When a person is confined to a certain number of options he has no other way out, but to choose amongst them. This might be the making of an individual. Like we consider an example of a

Having choices can sometime leave a negative result that could affect others. Because of some individuals who could have caused problems for society,or because of strict individuals working for the government, choices are sometimes limited to the privileged. But it can cause problems for individuals who need the ability to make their own choices for their own sake.

Since the beginning of A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah, the protagonist of the novel Ishmael endeavors to flee from the hardships enkindled by the RUF rebel organization that has amalgamated the country of Sierra Leone, officially making it a war zone. Moreover, for more than two years Ishmael has attempted to escape from the rebels, moving from village to village, rummaging through abandoned homes. Seemingly, the rebels would make their way to Ishmael, sweeping all villages. Deprived of food or any sign of hope surviving as a “lone wolf”, Ishmael enlisted in the Army of Sierra Leone to fight against the radical organization. Ishmael risked his life for the prime purpose of surviving and to pursue freedom. Furthermore, self-determination was one of the reasons for such bravery, but it was also due to specific objects that aided in Ishmael’s journey for freedom. Nonetheless, in his literary work, A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, Ishmael Beah uses symbols to underscore his central theme of oppression and/or freedom. The most evident symbols that accentuate the theme of oppression and/or freedom are the moon, the rap cassette tape, and the AK-47.

Having a plethora of choice may appear to promote the freedom of individuals, but when the quantity of choices a person is required to make becomes overloaded, the pressure builds and that “sense of freedom” becomes a sense of entrapment. There are so many choices available that there are going to be both

Choices are like investments, they can be short term or long term, expensive or cheap. However, the consequences are beyond one’s control. In America, we have something many countries don’t have that is a greater freedom to make choices. This freedom is what enables people to reach great heights in success, but that same freedom can also lead people to despair. So while this freedom to make a choice is done ultimately by you, the consequences—whether positive or negative—are something that one must confront and move on.

However, one’s [present] choices might threaten one’s future freedom, therefore restrictions that would prevent such a situation are justified as well. Soft paternalism is also useful to protect individuals from any decision they would most likely regret later, for example ones taken in ‘temporary states’ (of fear, anger, or depression), especially when there is no turning back possible . So paternalism is justified when restrictions are for the own good of individuals, whether they acknowledge it or not, and prevent them from potential irreversible damages. Finally, unlike Mill who ‘endows the average individual with too much reason and rationality’ , Dworkin, like Hart, suggests that individuals may not always correctly understand or appreciate some situations and dangers , so paternalism should be justified to prevent them from harming others. In the end, the author justifies several cases of paternalism but also suggests, whenever it is possible, to opt for prevention over

They are been difficult choices by themselves. Next, he states that supporters of the idea states that the medical expenses from all the illness that is cause by their choices can affect the health public, so it is okay to gives the government the authority to ban or regulate what they think is bad for them. The next idea he states is if the government is being given the authority to ban or regulate, there is no limit to what they could do. Lastly, he states that the choices that we make to have consequences, so does giving them the authority to ban or regulate what they think is bad for us.

The essence of the economic and religious liberties that Americans enjoy is the gift of freedom. James Truslow Adams describes the “American dream” best when he says, "life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement...regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.” Under the Constitution, the liberties that every citizen obtains are protected. Under the Declaration of Independence, every human has inalienable rights, “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” which were given by their Creator and for which governments are formed to protect. Along with acquiring freedom, economic freedom is also established in order for people to have the ability to

An example that Dan Ariely uses in his talk is the organ donation example. He starts off by showing a chart of the percentage of people who indicated in giving their organs for donation. There were two types of countries, those in favor of giving their organs and those who were not in favor. The countries where the most people participate in organ donation check a box at the DMV stating “check the box below if you don’t want to participate in the donor program.” Decision making is something we do every day. Because we are in control of making our own

America is a developed country and freedom. However, freedom is not a thing that people could have it whenever they want. We have to pay a price for freedom, either American. According to American Revolution, I can see that people would do anything they need to do to get their own freedom. To do that, they would have needed motivation, and in this case, motivations were events in history, such as Stamp Act, accident in Boston, and Boston Tea Party. In my opinion, American Revolution is unavoidable, especially it is about

This article is describing the people that are suffering from statelessness. Statelessness can affect many people that get kicked out of their country intentionally or untentionally. Many people who are stateless are refugees trying to escape their country from war and harsh dictatorship from their leaders. My opinion on all of this is we should as a nation these poor people. We all know that’s not going to happen because we’re busy worrying about other national problems or we simply just don’t care. Here’s also another reason why humanity doesn’t make this a big issue, Manly states, “In the media there’s very little discussion, in universities there’s very little research and in the U.N.,

Economists often say, “There isn’t such thing as a free lunch.” This means to get one thing, we usually have to give up something else we want. In other words, people face trade-offs. Making decisions requires trading off one goal against another. The concept of “people face trade-offs” is the first of Gregory Mankiw’s ten principles of economics.

Choices are an important part of everyone’s lives and the choices we make can reflex who we are as individuals. Choice and the ability to choose are excellent and can represent a sense of freedom. Schwartz’s and Iyengard’s analysis on choice focused on the effects of choice in people and how people react and deal with it. Schwartz’s Official Dogma and explanation of how Americans act in response to choice making is the most relatable to individuals and clearly chows the consequences of too much choice. His analysis can assist to people realize that maybe because we have more choice doesn’t necessarily mean we will make us happier or the best decision will be made. Understanding the consequences of too much choice can possibly make individuals improve the negative effects it can have and make us happier with our

What is the price for FREEDOM? It's obvious that the price for freedom is not free but that it is rather large. After obtaining freedom, we look back and wonder was it worth it? Was freedom overpriced? In other words, did we sacrifice and pay too much to be free?