Chapter 80 Your freedom to shake your fist is bounded by my nose

A scholar with unique insights once said that there are two archipelagos on the earth that have contributed the most to human civilization, one is the Aegean Islands along the Mediterranean Sea, and the other is the British Isles in the North Atlantic Ocean. The Greek civilization in the Aegean Sea is the peak of wisdom in the classical world.Hegel said: "Anything that satisfies our spiritual life and makes our spiritual life valuable and radiant, we know that they all came directly or indirectly from Greece." As with the home of the rule of law, much of modern civilization can be traced back to one or a few Englishmen.In the long cultural tradition of Britain, "freedom" has never been forgotten by the English nation.Among them, John Stuart Mill (also translated as "Mill") injected modern consciousness into "freedom".

"Freedom" is the "keyword" of Western thought, especially Western thought since modern times.Since ancient times, various thinkers have interpreted the meaning of freedom from different angles, levels and aspects.Lord Acton of the United Kingdom said: "Freedom, since it was sown in Athens before 2460, has been second only to 'religion' and has become the driving force of 'good' and a common excuse for 'evil'." The ancient Greek politician Solon , Pericles also talked about "freedom", the great Christian theologian Augustine talked about "freedom", Kant and Hegel even regarded "freedom" as the nature of will...

Let's take a look at what Mueller's "freedom" is through three questions—— First, what kind of "freedom" is "freedom"? For Mill, "freedom" is not the freedom of will, nor is it a concept in the metaphysical sense, but the right that people have in modern life.So freedom is freedom of action.If this kind of freedom still has a certain philosophical meaning, then it is also a philosophical proposition at the political and legal level. Second, whose "freedom" is "freedom"? Freedom, Mill says, is "my" freedom, that is, "the freedom to pursue our own good in our own way."With this freedom comes a private space.In this private space, the government and other people cannot interfere with other people's lives casually.Mill believes that since ancient times, freedom has been a force against government authority.Government, as a public force, is indispensable to the maintenance of order, but governments are often keen to abuse their power.In this case, the so-called freedom is to defend against the tyranny of the ruler.In this field, I am the supreme master, and I can act as I like.

Third, how much "freedom" is "freedom"? The premise of "freedom" is "equality".Because you and I are equal, I have freedom, and you also have freedom, and our freedom is equal.Our freedom from being violated by others is also equal.Therefore, you can show your teeth and claws, punch and kick in your private space, but don't invade my private space under the banner of "this is my freedom".Please keep your freedom outside my space, and please make your fist reach my nose as a boundary.