[FRIAM] Fwd: Freedom: Sarte v Camus
Steven A Smith
sasmyth at swcp.com
Fri Apr 24 15:55:15 EDT 2020
Interesting contrast between two P(p)hilosophers (and friends) on the
topic of Freedom... a little dated but maybe good background on
contemplating our current paradox of "what means Freedom?"
‘Absolute freedom is the right of the strongest to dominate,’ Camus
wrote, while ‘absolute justice is achieved by the suppression of all
contradiction: therefore it destroys freedom.’ The conflict between
justice and freedom required constant re-balancing, political
moderation, an acceptance and celebration of that which limits the
most: our humanity. ‘To live and let live,’ he said, ‘in order to
create what we are.’
Sartre read /The Rebel /with disgust. As far as he was concerned,
it /was/ possible to achieve perfect justice and freedom – that
described the achievement of communism. Under capitalism, and in
poverty, workers could not be free. Their options were unpalatable
and inhumane: to work a pitiless and alienating job, or to die. But
by removing the oppressors and broadly returning autonomy to the
workers, communism allows each individual to live without material
want, and therefore to choose how best they can realise themselves.
This makes them free, and through this unbending equality, it is
also just.
from
https://getpocket.com/explore/item/how-camus-and-sartre-split-up-over-the-question-of-how-to-be-free
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