Freedom as a Spectrum

The very notion of freedom is deceivingly simple. The laymen definition is that freedom is the ability to choose an indefinite range of actions. However, a quick look at history displays that the notion of freedom has endured much tumult, and has been a source for contention among intellectual circles.

Karl Marx promised his theory would usher the liberation of the proletariat. Libertarians make the exact opposite contentions yet they believe they best espouse the notion of freedom. The same is the case between all opposing factions throughout the course of history. If the definition of freedom is so simple, why is it that the interpretations have so widely varied?

To discern the answer one must perceive the notion of freedom through a nuanced approach. The simple definition of freedom induces the idea that a free society allows its members an indefinite range of actions. However, if this were the case, jurisprudence would be unnecessary.

What many fail to realize or address, is that an excess in freedom often leads to a lack of it. In the area of politics we have the political spectrum. In economics there is the economic spectrum. In art, there is the color spectrum. Yet there exists another widely prevalent yet much ignored spectrum. This is the freedom spectrum.

The idea of the freedom spectrum is quite simply, that in each situation there is a varying level of freedom. We will assume that on the left hand side is where there is an ultimate inhibition of freedom, and on the right hand side there is an unlimited range of actions.

On the right hand side society is given full discretion, while on the left hand side they are met with oppression. The basic tenet of this spectrum is quite simple, that in all situations freedom varies.

However, what many fallaciously assume is that in order to achieve ultimate freedom, society must err to the right. However, if we are all completely free, are we free to take each others' freedoms? If one is allowed an infinite range of actions, who will prevent them from murdering an individual they have personal qualms with?

This proves the seemingly paradoxical statement that ultimate freedom can lead to a lack of it. Thus, ultimate freedom does not lie on either side, but lies nearer the center. It is where each individual has as much freedom as they can without inhibiting the freedom of another. This in itself is a contentious statement and by no means ends the public discourse regarding freedom, however, it must be the guiding central tenet in determining what course of action provides for the most freedom.

This notion of freedom has an infinite amount of real life applications. A closely similar iteration of it does exist,  but what I have done is to simply contextualize it so that my future points may be elucidated on and clarified more easily. Freedom as a spectrum is simply a prelude to forthcoming arguments regarding the real-life application of freedom in the context of varying fields of study.