Freedom vs. Responsibility

Americans have always believed in the idea of freedom although the majority of Americans will not agree in the idea of responsibility. The idea of freedom is rooted in American culture. They believe that democracy is the effect of individual freedom. This idea in part is true as Hegel put it on The Phenomenology of the Spirit. They believe that freedom does not go along with responsibility. We find in American culture easy to believe that we were born free but this freedom does not come along. We say that freedom and responsibility goes hand on hand. Here in this article we are going to explore what a French philosopher said about freedom and responsibility.

Sartre was a French philosopher of the 20th century who devoted his life to the understanding of conventional freedom. Sartre wrote novels, plays, essays, articles searching for the meaning of freedom. So, how is that possible that one of the most influential philosopher of our time remains unknown to most American? In La Republique du Silence Sartre wrote “we were never as free as under the German occupation”. What he meant was that we really experiment freedom under oppression. We see a naïve ontology of the meaning of freedom by men now days. For example, I can say that I am free to go to college, to get merry and have kids. This idea of freedom is what we call a naïve ontology of freedom.

This conception is the American conception of freedom where freedom is more about liberty. We can say that liberty does not necessarily go hand on hand with responsibility. Freedom appears when you choose something and consciously accept the responsibility of your action. So, you don’t say “I got married because I am free” you should say “I got married because I chose to get married. In a word is a big difference between “I want to get merry” and “I chose to get married”. This “I want” is part of the naïve ontology we are talking about. This “I want” is made in pure liberty, and on the other hand the “I chose” is made in pure freedom. And other example will be when the majority elected a new President of the U.S. This is done in pure liberty and not in freedom. We must fight the idea of naïve ontology and teach people that we are responsible for all of our actions. This majority that elected a new president is responsible for everything the President does or does not. If he starts a new war, they are responsible for electing this guy. But since they elected this new president in pure liberty they will not accept any responsibility for what he does. They will excuse themselves by saying “I thought he was a good guy” or “I am not the President what can I do”. But if they elect him in pure freedom, they will accept all the responsibility. Freedom is so radical that even those who didn’t vote for him are responsible because they choose in liberty not to vote for him. In Sartre’s idea of freedom is not room for God and destiny. It is very popular in America the believe that this nation was chosen by God. Also, the majority believe that this nation has a destiny to fulfill. These two are also examples of the naïve ontology. There is not a grand design for Americans or other citizens of the world. Although, most Americans believe they were chosen by God to fulfill some kind of destiny.
In conclusion, freedom and liberty are not the same thing. Liberty does not recognize the responsibility of your actions. On the other hand, freedom recognizes that you are responsible for everything you do. We find liberty in the naïve conception of freedom that is rooted in American culture. You are free and responsible of your freedom. You choose and build the life you deserve. There is not a God dictating the rules nor there is a destiny to fulfill. You are in charge of your own life.