I would love to see this approach on the Dialectics of Freedom gain more traction on a wider scale.
The health care analogy resonated, having two citizenships, USA and France, I have perhaps a unique perspective on this topic. I share the same sentiment about health care actually. In my eyes, health care is simply not a human right, but as a French citizen it’s certainly a source of dignity and pride. That’s the only way I’ll continue to support this system of health care and find satisfaction in it. On the other hand, if I’m told that others are entitled to my ressources, because that they’re right then yes that rings completely different. That’s one of reasons this essay resonated so much for me.
Absolutely, without equal opportunity, it is rather impossible to claim total freedom. I don't think that should even be in question. The only question to grapple with is a much more subtle one. What are the ways in which people whose families hail from different historical situations are currently disadvantaged today, and how can we make things more equal for everyone? Are Will Smith's children disadvantaged because they have dark skin and perhaps their ancestors were enslaved? I would think not. However, plenty of black neighborhoods are filled with unfair disadvantages, from poorly funded schools, to less equipped parks, to "food deserts" and so forth. We surely have to fix these inequities if we want people from such neighborhoods to truly have the freedom to pursue happiness. Thus, rather than focus on the skin color of individuals, I think we need to focus on the effects of poverty (which is the great unequalizer at this point, and which affects minorities more, but certainly affects people of all skin colors, ethnicities and religions). If we can give people living in poverty some assistance to "level the playing field," we will be on our way toward greater freedom for all.
Having grown up in a public housing project it was apparent to me that government “help “ was not directed to individuals and families but towards expanding the “village “
I ponder the Right to Healthcare principle frequently especially since I have worked 80 hour weeks for decades, only recently cut back to 32 hours. We have a looming severe Physician shortage - especially in OBGYN. Our population of patients is growing every year- so where does this end up? Mandated 80 hour work weeks will lead to burn out and early retirements. There must be a better way to provide care for the needs of others a while taking care of our own workforce.
Well said. Very well said. This is a fair-minded contribution and opens to the door to thoughtful discussion. I took a deep breath when I read it (of relief) and I also wholeheartedly support the purpose of Better Angels.
These additional aspects you should explore underscore the complexity of the issues and highlight the necessity of a comprehensive and inclusive approach to tackling the challenges associated with freedom and equality in today's society:
Your emphasis on historical examples rather than theory is a first principles approach - excellent.
I see the buried lead in your essay is to identify what things are, and work back to the terms.
Dialects can be a natural part of open discourse: all options are considered through a process: the Socratic method.
But the term itself has come to mean not a process, but a forced choice with one predetermined solution.
Equality is understood as equality of opportunity to maximize potential. Consent is baked in.
Equity is equal outcomes by enforcement. Tyranny is baked in.
In short, Truthtellers focus on what things are, and extract solutions from all options.
Tyrants focus on labels and platitudes to sell the chosen solution.
Freedom for - and - freedom from.
I would love to see this approach on the Dialectics of Freedom gain more traction on a wider scale.
The health care analogy resonated, having two citizenships, USA and France, I have perhaps a unique perspective on this topic. I share the same sentiment about health care actually. In my eyes, health care is simply not a human right, but as a French citizen it’s certainly a source of dignity and pride. That’s the only way I’ll continue to support this system of health care and find satisfaction in it. On the other hand, if I’m told that others are entitled to my ressources, because that they’re right then yes that rings completely different. That’s one of reasons this essay resonated so much for me.
Absolutely, without equal opportunity, it is rather impossible to claim total freedom. I don't think that should even be in question. The only question to grapple with is a much more subtle one. What are the ways in which people whose families hail from different historical situations are currently disadvantaged today, and how can we make things more equal for everyone? Are Will Smith's children disadvantaged because they have dark skin and perhaps their ancestors were enslaved? I would think not. However, plenty of black neighborhoods are filled with unfair disadvantages, from poorly funded schools, to less equipped parks, to "food deserts" and so forth. We surely have to fix these inequities if we want people from such neighborhoods to truly have the freedom to pursue happiness. Thus, rather than focus on the skin color of individuals, I think we need to focus on the effects of poverty (which is the great unequalizer at this point, and which affects minorities more, but certainly affects people of all skin colors, ethnicities and religions). If we can give people living in poverty some assistance to "level the playing field," we will be on our way toward greater freedom for all.
Having grown up in a public housing project it was apparent to me that government “help “ was not directed to individuals and families but towards expanding the “village “
I ponder the Right to Healthcare principle frequently especially since I have worked 80 hour weeks for decades, only recently cut back to 32 hours. We have a looming severe Physician shortage - especially in OBGYN. Our population of patients is growing every year- so where does this end up? Mandated 80 hour work weeks will lead to burn out and early retirements. There must be a better way to provide care for the needs of others a while taking care of our own workforce.
Sorry, I meant Braver Angels.
Well said. Very well said. This is a fair-minded contribution and opens to the door to thoughtful discussion. I took a deep breath when I read it (of relief) and I also wholeheartedly support the purpose of Better Angels.
These additional aspects you should explore underscore the complexity of the issues and highlight the necessity of a comprehensive and inclusive approach to tackling the challenges associated with freedom and equality in today's society:
https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.0030449
https://www.jstor.org/stable/3319797?origin=crossref