freedom

This week class, we mainly focus on how to identify “freedom” this term in the society and culture. As what people know that the “freedom” is a fundamental social value in American history and society. However, how to identify the range of freedom that citizens has which is a hard question to answer. Many people thought that citizens should enjoy complete “freedom” in this society. That is not the reality shows to us. The limited freedom could guarantee the social normal running. People have to perform their social responsibility during they enjoy their freedom in this society. The freedom is solitary term or definition but a social contract. This world did not really exist the absolute freedom. For example, American government issued the famous “patriot Act” in 2001 after the “9.11”. This new act allowed government legally check citizen's email, phone history, and other social record to against terrorism. That could be a simple example to explain what are the contradictions between social contract and individual freedom. I personally think that government need to use effective ways to prevent terrorists to hurt other individuals and society. However, this act directly violate the basic definition of “freedom” based on American culture and history. On the other hand, if our society do not have these terrorists to use attack of terrorism to take other people's freedom and life, how government need response like this? All in all, the social “freedom” is not an easy term to explain and understand, it have to relate with social reality and culture. The real freedom should make people bring more social togetherness to our world but not create estrangement and hate between individuals.