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Recently, I have experienced a divided opinion among my peers regarding a certain question. That question is: If a nation were to pursue the only principle "freedom from freedom", would it be in a state of anarchy or oppression?

Yes.

Waffles>Pancakes

All of the above.

I'd say oppression. Ultimately, they're trying to get rid of freedom. The phrase "freedom from [something good]" is just a Newspeak-style attempt by the rulers (whoever they are in this case) to make it sound like a good thing.

Freedom from freedom is not a freedom at all. It's like the evil masterminds from so many games/movies who literally strip people of their free will. That is freedom from freedom. Imagine a world like George Orwells 1984 and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, they are essentially distopian worlds in which everyone lives under the strict regime of the government.

Freedom from freedom = no freedom = oppression

Basically what Mitchie said. Anarchy is essentially total freedom, with all the chaos that it brings. Opression is the state of having no freedom. And freedom from freedom means you have no freedom, which indicates you're oppressed.

Anarchy = A state of disorder due to absence – of freedom.

jackavsfan wrote:Basically what Mitchie said. Anarchy is essentially total freedom, with all the chaos that it brings. Opression is the state of having no freedom. And freedom from freedom means you have no freedom, which indicates you're oppressed.

While I agree that anarchy is chaos, I disagree with the sentiment that anarchy is total freedom.

If you've ever seen Equilibrium, the premise is not unlike that of Harrison Bergeron where society (for whatever reason) submits to total equality in pursuit of a world without want, hate, love, etc. Essentially all the emotions that bring out the best, and worst in humans.

The idea of freedom from freedom therefore is subjective based upon the mindset of the populace of this nation.

Is the motive of "freedom from freedom" altruistic?

Do the people support it?

How will "freedom from freedom" be secured?

Also the poll lists "oppression" but in your initial query you state "suppression" as a choice. Both are very different.

However if your intent was to offer "suppression" as a choice, I would say that suppression could equally apply to the people suppressing themselves, or even go as far as to substitute "cooperation, or collaboration" in place of suppression in the instance I've laid out.

Interesting question, even if it is a bit wonky.

[EDIT] Poll does in fact list suppression as a choice, not oppression.

Well-stated, mitchie. That's basically the idea I was going for talking about Newspeak, but I think you said it more clearly

Roobean wrote:Anarchy = A state of disorder due to absence – of freedom.

It's certainly a state of disorder, but isn't it from the complete absence of law/authority?