An Introduction to Philosophy (RLL style) Week 14 – Society 2 (Power) – Part 2: Would you rather be freer or safer?
The tension between freedom and security is at the heart of political philosophy. Ben Franklin warned that trading liberty for temporary safety often leads to losing both. Throughout history, this tug-of-war has been evident, from John Stuart Mill’s focus on individual freedom to Marx’s call for collective control. But as fear accelerates government power, the question remains: how much freedom are we willing to trade for safety? The answer isn’t just about what the government does to us—it’s about what we allow. When we are the government, disengagement isn’t neutral. It’s a decision.
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