Would the last man on earth be free?

Does freedom and independence mean you are not dependant upon others for survival?

If a master of slaves is dependant upon his slaves to do what he requires and needs to live...is he really free and independent?

firmbeliever

Why have you asked about the Last man being free?
How are you defining freedom for this last man?

Freedom from death or freedom from the trials of life?

Dark_crow

Hi FB
I’m thinking that freedom is a form of relationship between people, and if that is the case, it follows that the last man on earth could not experience freedom.

shygrneyzs

Well the Master is not a free man either. If not for his slaves, he would have to go back and rely on his own self and others to gain what he needs to survive. There is some thought that the slaves are more the Master than the Master. A man cannot master what he does not have. He could try to master himself, wouldn't that be a switch? But some could not succeed - they only know to control someone else, not themselves.

Would the last man on earth be free? There are ways he would be free. Freedom from oppression, freedom from taxes, freedom of speech and religion, free to be naked all day if he choses, free to go from one place to another without being searched or told he cannot cross a border, freedom from all and any law - who would be there to enforce? Is he going to self police himself? He would have to depend on himself for all his needs, that is a freedom in that he can provide the way he wants to. No societal constraints.

What he would not be free from is his own moral conscience. Unless he redefines his conscience, changes his own rules. He would not be free from responsibility, in fact, he would have more responsibility, since his own survival is solely on him.

Dark_crow

Yes, slavery is a relationship between people, and if a master has to get other people to replace a slave that too becomes a relationship, just a different relationship. What separates a slave from an employee?
If you were the last man on earth who would you acquire freedom from, aside from yourself? Doesn’t freedom require an alternative? Is it logical to say you do not have the freedom to fly, or to live underwater. How could you say you were free to cross a border when there was no one to establish a border.

It seems to me the very concept of freedom would be lost to the only man alive.

firmbeliever

I couldnt give you a greenie, says to spread the rep.

I think you have said all the right things!

shygrneyzs

What separate a slave from an employee? A slave has only the rights given by the Master, which can be minimal to none. A slave does not even have the right to life, except deemed by the Master. An employee is protected by law and the employer has a legal framework to work in. Sure, who has not complained about the "slave driver" of a boss? But put that complainer into a real situation of the "slave driver" and that employee would be grateful for his job with his employer.

If I were the last woman on Earth (and there were no men) my freedom is self acquired, since I do not need anyone's permission or statement saying I am free. It is logical to state that I would not have the freedom to fly - I never had that freedom before, since I do not have wings, so why would that bother me? Same as living under water - I do not have the technology and capability of building an underwater home for myself. I cannot see that happening any time soon either. About the border - the established borders, say from Mexico to the United States, why wouldn't those borders still exist? On paper and in law they exist. I could choose to ignore them and walk across or swim across when I wanted.

Now if you are talking about once you are the only living person on earth that all things pre existing (such as borders) are going to evaporate, then you can do fairly well what you want. The only one stopping you is you and your talents and access to supplies. I don't think the concept of freedom would be lost to the last man alive. Perhaps he (or she) would be the one to honestly understand.

Choux

I like your icon. Wonder is it a true and accurate representation.

Dark_crow

It is, I can vouch for that!

hossbonnam

Freedom has become one of those relative terms.
Theres really no YES or NO answers, just degrees of.
I suppose you could use the term on any thought.
You're drawing circles around circles to find the meaningless end.

Would the last man on earth be free?
A. In some sense, but not others.

Does freedom and independence mean you are not dependant upon others for survival?
A. You can only depend on yourself for survival. Using our wits, other people and
the things we find in this world as instruments, even if its subcontious,
as animals we all do it.


If a master of slaves is dependant upon his slaves to do what he
requires and needs to live...is he really free and independent?
A. No if he has no other choice in order to survive. But Yes,
because he is using them as a tool. Just like using a shovel to dig a hole.
Maybe he has other options you know.

Im going to be free from this forum Now.