The Laughing Wolf

A Good Question

The question is raised: If I believe so much in the power of the individual, and in individual liberty, why then did I have a “slave” even for a short term? This, in turn, leads to many other questions, but let us take it as it goes.

The answer really is quite simple: I had a “slave” and have no problem with individuals choosing to be such, because it is the right of the individual to so choose. In fact, the largest problem I have with the concept right now is that I need that person to come back to the role again. In their capacity as slave, they helped me with some software that they well know, and I need their expertise again. What? You were expecting something else from some geeks?

In all seriousness, individuals have the right to choose their own path. They have the right to make decisions, for good or bad, on their own. I’ve said it before and I will say it again: we are guaranteed the right to choose, but the law does not require us to make smart choices.

In terms of the Constitution and the great experiment that is America, there are good reasons for this. The Founding Fathers were well aware that the majority might not be right, and that public opinion was a fickle thing. They had seen cases where this was true, and the damage that could result. The minority opinion may often be more correct than the majority, but for it to do any good, it had to exist and people had to be able to hear it. Hence, they set things up to favor individuals and ensured freedom of the press.

They were also well aware that there were a lot of nuts then, just as there are now. That is part of the price of freedom. That did not matter nearly as much as getting things into the marketplace of ideas, so they could be debated and judged in a rational and responsible manner.

There was some precedent for this, not just in governance but in religion as well. Christianity depends on individual choice. For it is said scripture that each person has a choice to make: to accept Christ and live forever, or to reject and suffer for most of eternity. This concept was discussed and debated by learned people of the day, and influenced various trains of secular thought followed by the Founding Fathers.

It does also influence mine. If the choice of eternal life is left to each of us, then how can we not leave all choices to the individual? Only that person has complete command of all the facts in and about themselves. They know their wants, needs, weaknesses, and strengths. It is for them to choose the path that is right for them on all levels. This is especially true for making bad decisions.

Let’s face it: what were the most effective learning experiences in our lives? Was it having something given to us by another, or did it come from painful experience? The fact is, the human mind has a distressing tendency to learn from pain and mistakes far better than from pleasure alone. It is the hot stove, the skinned knee, and the painful breakup that are writ large upon the psyche, and tend to make the most lasting and memorable lessons. To deprive anyone of the right of choice, the right to make mistakes and learn from them, is in fact the worst form of slavery to be forced upon anyone. For it is to deny them on all levels. It says that they are lower than children, incapable of thought or reason, and it denies them the opportunity to become more than they currently are in life. It condemns them to far worse than death, for they have no chance of any form of salvation because they have no will, no informed decision, and no opportunity to accept or reject any choice on any matter.

For that reason, I do not feel obligated to prevent people from doing stupid things. It is my duty to tell them that I think they are about to mess up (big time even) and point out options and consequences. What they do then is up to them.

For the same reason, I do not feel obligated to help out someone who has done something incredibly stupid. Much depends on circumstances, and to be honest one criteria I use is based on if the lesson(s) appear to have been learned or not. That is indeed a subjective judgment, but as an individual that is my choice to make.

For the purposes of this discussion, individuals do have the right to give up some or all of their liberty if they so choose. We often do so, and for very good reasons. When we go to work for a company, we give up some of our freedoms and agree to do things their way for the time we are on the clock. Increasingly, many companies also place demands on what we do off the clock as well, and by accepting employment we agree to these limitations. When we are in a relationship, we place limits upon ourselves in terms of our behavior and activities. This is doubly true for marriage, particularly if we swear a formal oath to cleave only unto them. When we serve our Country, we give up a great deal and swear to give up our lives as necessary.

I could go on, but I think the point is made. We regularly make decisions for ourselves that place limits on our freedom and liberty. The degree varies, but what does not change is that we have voluntarily agreed to this. When a person agrees to be a “slave” they are simply doing this same thing, but taking it a step further, a higher degree. That is their choice to make for themselves, not for any other.

That said, the idea of someone giving up all freedom and liberty, becoming property to be bought, sold, or even killed, horrifies me. It is not a decision that I would choose, but it is theirs to make. Nor do I have a strong desire to have such a “slave” for any reason. I have enough trouble choosing what I am going to do, wear, eat, etc. and so have no real desire to have to make every choice for both myself and another. To be extremely honest, I find such a person to be incredibly selfish and demanding, among other things. Yet, this is an extreme example and there are some fascinating areas for debate and consideration.

Those will wait for another day, however. This is food for thought enough to keep one busy for a while.

NOTE: For the cognitively challenged out there, let me make it very clear. Involuntary servitude/slavery = bad. Anyone attempting such on any individual or group in my proximity will face a firestorm. All that is being discussed here today is voluntary servitude/slavery.

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