FREEDOM CAN BE PRESERVED ONLY BY FOLLOWING PRINCIPLES AND IS DESTROYED BY FOLLOWING EXPEDIENCY
Freedom can only be protected by following strong principles, while focusing on short-term convenience can destroy it. To create a good society, we cannot just pick and choose things that seem good; we need a set of guiding principles. The value of freedom lies in its ability to allow for unexpected choices, making it hard to see what benefits we might lose when freedom is limited. When decisions are made based on clear immediate gains versus unknown future possibilities, freedom tends to be sacrificed.
In the past, important liberal thinkers understood that freedom must be treated as an essential principle and not given up for temporary advantages. However, over the years, many people have moved away from these principles and now focus on practical solutions, believing that strict ideologies are old-fashioned. This shift has also been influenced by disillusioned socialists who, unable to resolve issues in their own beliefs, conclude that all ideologies are wrong.
Modern pragmatists think they can construct a better society by making small changes for each situation. Yet, this approach often leads to unforeseen problems and commitments that can limit freedom. The move away from consistent principles began more than eighty years ago, and instead of gaining control over our society’s direction, this has often resulted in outcomes that nobody planned or wanted.
Freedom can only be protected by following strong principles, while focusing on short-term convenience can destroy it. To create a good society, we cannot just pick and choose things that seem good; we need a set of guiding principles. The value of freedom lies in its ability to allow for unexpected choices, making it hard to see what benefits we might lose when freedom is limited. When decisions are made based on clear immediate gains versus unknown future possibilities, freedom tends to be sacrificed.
In the past, important liberal thinkers understood that freedom must be treated as an essential principle and not given up for temporary advantages. However, over the years, many people have moved away from these principles and now focus on practical solutions, believing that strict ideologies are old-fashioned. This shift has also been influenced by disillusioned socialists who, unable to resolve issues in their own beliefs, conclude that all ideologies are wrong.
Modern pragmatists think they can construct a better society by making small changes for each situation. Yet, this approach often leads to unforeseen problems and commitments that can limit freedom. The move away from consistent principles began more than eighty years ago, and instead of gaining control over our society’s direction, this has often resulted in outcomes that nobody planned or wanted.