What is Freedom?

An Integrated Definition of Freedom

Freedom is the state of holistic liberation, both internal and external, characterized by the capacity for self-determined action. It is realized through a dynamic process of discerning truth, making conscious choices aligned with that truth, and accepting full responsibility for the consequences, thereby achieving autonomy from coercive forces, internal compulsions, and the weight of past decisions.

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Explanation of This Integrated View

This definition weaves together all the threads of our conversation. Freedom is not a single thing but a state of being that operates on several levels simultaneously:

1. The Foundation: Truth as the Liberator

At its core, freedom is inextricably linked to truth, as Jesus stated.

• On a spiritual level: The ultimate truth is a person—a relationship with the divine that liberates us from the guilt, power, and ultimate consequence of sin and falsehood. This is freedom from spiritual bondage and for a relationship with God.
• On a practical level: "Truth" means reality. It is a clear-eyed, "sober self-assessment" (as Chen Gu put it) of our desires, the costs of our choices, our capabilities, and the world as it is. Acting on illusion or deception is the opposite of freedom; it is a form of slavery to error. True freedom begins with seeing things as they truly are.

2. The Mechanism: A Cycle of Choice and Responsibility

This is where Chen Gu's philosophy provides the practical steps. Freedom is not a passive state you receive, but an active cycle you practice:

• Step 1:清醒的自知 (Qīngxǐng de zìzhī - Sober Self-Awareness): Before you can be free, you must know what you want liberation for. This is the process of asking: "What do I truly want? What is the cost? Am I willing and able to pay it?" This step aligns your will with the truth of your situation.
• Step 2:勇敢的选择 (Yǒnggǎn de xuǎnzé - Courageous Choice): Awareness without action is impotence. Freedom requires the courage to act on your self-knowledge, to make a choice and commit to a path. This is the exercise of free will.
• Step 3:坦然的担当 (Tǎnrán de dāndāng - Peaceful Acceptance of Responsibility): This is the keystone. Freedom is not the absence of consequences but the full ownership of them ("self-cause, self-effect"). This ownership is what prevents regret from becoming a prison. When you willingly accept the outcomes of your choices, you remain free, regardless of whether the result was success or failure. You are not a victim of your own past.

3. The Dimensions: Internal and External

Our philosophical discussion highlighted that freedom has two realms:

• Negative Freedom (Freedom From): The external dimension. This is the absence of undue external coercion by others, institutions, or governments (e.g., freedom of speech, freedom from imprisonment). This is the space in which choice is possible.
• Positive Freedom (Freedom To): The internal dimension. This is the capacity and power to act upon your choices, to shape your life, and to realize your potential. It requires resources, capability, and self-mastery. Chen Gu's cycle is a recipe for achieving this internal, positive freedom.

How It All Fits Together: A Unified Picture

Imagine freedom as a castle:

• The Moat and Walls (Negative Freedom): These protect you from external invaders (coercion, oppression). They define the safe space where you can live.
• The Castle Itself (Positive Freedom): This is your ability to live a full life within the walls—to dine, to create, to love, to rule. It's your capacity to act.
• The Foundation (Truth): The entire castle is built on the bedrock of truth. Building on the sand of deception will cause everything to collapse.
• The King/Ruler (The Cycle of Choice): The castle isn't autonomous. It requires a ruler who constantly engages in sober self-assessment, makes courageous decrees, and peacefully bears the responsibility of ruling. This ruler is you, practicing Chen Gu's cycle.

In conclusion, true freedom is the integration of all these elements:
It is the external space to choose, powered by the internal capacity to choose well, grounded in a relationship with truth, and practiced through the courageous cycle of conscious choice and wholehearted responsibility.

Without truth, we are slaves to illusion. Without choice, we are slaves to others. Without responsibility, we are slaves to our past. But with all three, we achieve genuine liberation.

This post was done with DeepSeek. Chen Gu's speech on freedom in Mandarin is here.