In the face of a dangerous pandemic, the world recently came together to celebrate another Olympiad. From virtually every country and all parts of the globe, human beings showed resilience and determination to prove once again our vast potential. With medals won and records broken or the simple heroic act of being willing and able to take part, these athletes demonstrated the true measure of our human existence. And, you may ask, how was this done in the midst of such jeopardy? The answer: with cooperation, sacrifice and common sense.
There were many restrictions placed on the athletes, administrators and fans. Freedoms and opportunities ordinarily granted were halted or reduced for their safety and the safety of others. There were many objections to these protective protocols and requirements. After all, no one looks forward to having any personal freedoms curtailed. Were these safeguards or controls necessary or useful? Statisticians, doctors and historians will be able to tell us their value one day. Until then the debate will continue as to whether or not these measures were warranted.
Some will argue they always have a right to be free from such mandates. Others will claim a right to be free from danger caused by an unwillingness to tolerate rudimentary restrictions. Whatever the points of view, the simple truth of the matter is, in a civilized society, with few exceptions, no freedom is absolute – freedom has always had its boundaries. For example, you can drive, but not too fast. You can say what you’d like, so long as it is not slanderous or creates a panic. You can behave in most any manner, but only without injury to another.
As such, all our liberties are guided and limited by the social contract we share. Freedom doesn’t mean that you get to do whatever you want whenever you want. Freedom is constrained by a responsibility to not harm others. We recognize our survival is dependent upon each other. Without these confines on our behavior we risk losing the most precious things that make us human like empathy, civility, goodwill and love. Even in the days of the earliest Olympians, Aristotle recognized “Every man should be responsible to others, nor should anyone be allowed to do just as he pleases; for where absolute freedom is allowed, there is nothing to restrain the evil which is inherent in every man.”
The Bible, which many refer to for counsel, outlines some thoughtful considerations related to personal freedoms, as stated in 1Corinthians 10:23 “‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say – but not everything is beneficial.” “‘I have the right to do anything’ – but not everything is constructive.” Historical religious and political figures alike have also had occasion to describe this accountability. Pope John Paul II once said: “The greatest deception, and the deepest source of unhappiness, is the illusion of finding … freedom by excluding moral truths and personal responsibility.” Former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt also once remarked: “This freedom of which men speak, for which they fight, seems to some people a perilous thing … For freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility.”
These common-sense thoughts, sentiments or ideas are not mystical or difficult to conceive; we have known for some time that one of the greatest gifts we can provide to anyone is the magnanimous act of sacrifice for the benefit of another. Wear a mask/not wear a mask? Get a shot/not get a shot? This dichotomy sounds like personal choices, but the consequences of not doing one or the other may be life or death, and for many there may be no choice in that particular outcome. So when we look to the wise and thoughtful figures of our past and to the modern day Olympians who made personal sacrifices so that we might derive hope from their endeavors, we should spare the criticism because they unselfishly relinquished some of their freedom, coalesced around a common goal, for the benefit of each other and the greater good of humanity!
As the philosopher-musician Bob Dylan once said, “A hero is someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with freedom.” While expressing our freedoms we should carefully examine our responsibilities and take heed in making our choices. In doing so, perhaps, we can all be a hero!
Judge Frank Sedillo presides over the civil division of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the judge individually and not those of the court.
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With freedom comes our responsibility to others - Albuquerque Journal
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