The kind of freedom I have sought for most of my life is the kind that allows me to just say no. I like to have the freedom to stay clear of the situations and people I dislike. In this sense it is a kind of negative freedom. The more positive kind I associate with power, that is, the power to do particular things. That is more dubious in that nearly always with power comes responsibility and with that comes obligation which in turn brings restriction. Then the freedom to say no is compromised.
My attitude may mean perpetually having to stay out of things. This is fine to a point but of course no participating means a reduction in the kinds of things generally considered valuable in life - kinship in particular. So, as ever, it is a matter of balance: freedom to say no but with the power to participate enough to stay interested.
My attitude may mean perpetually having to stay out of things. This is fine to a point but of course no participating means a reduction in the kinds of things generally considered valuable in life - kinship in particular. So, as ever, it is a matter of balance: freedom to say no but with the power to participate enough to stay interested.
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