Are Human Beings Free?

According to an article “Are Human Beings Free” by Charon, freedom is the ability to control one’s life. He points out that true freedom is that individual is active, self-directed, and chooses their own direction. He says "If something or someone controls the actor, then the actor does not control himself or herself. If it is family, society, unconsciousness, emotions, impulse, habit, social, class, culture, neighborhood, government, the world marketplace, heredity, or a myriad of other factors that cause what we do or think, cause us to not adequately understand our situation, or severely limit our choices, then freedom is not real (96)."

Nowadays, we have right to vote and can choose clothes which we want to wear, but it doesn’t mean we are totally free. In other word, we believe that we have freedom of choice, but society forces us to do something in certain ways; have to work to maintain our life, have an education to get a good job, wear and act in certain way in certain place, keep the laws and rules, etc.

This article reminds me of the conception of the freedom. The freedom can be explained as free in thought and in action. From this point of view, I think the way the upper class institutions function to keep those at the top in their place and other out is difficult to change. Charon explains that society influences both the way we think and act. High social positions give people the ability to influence how others think.  Charon states, “The upper class teaches people that what is has it deserves and worked hard for.” (111)  “The poor often become conservative in society, even though they have little to gain from the way society is. Because it is not the poor who control advertising and educational or political institutions, it is not their ideas that are taught in society, so they, like everyone else, become influenced by the ideas of those who do control these avenues off influence.” (111). The upper class are in the best position to create the ideas that others will come to believe.

It means that our thinking and acting are controlled by outside forces such as social value, belief, structure, and social position, so it is difficult to say that there is a real freedom in society.

Why are People Unequal in Society?

“Why are People Unequal in Society” by Joel Charon focuses on the inequalities in society. Inequality exists anywhere we go. Charon says that inequality emerges in some form or another every time people encounter one another. Inequality in terms of power, privilege, and prestige result from division of labor, social conflict, and ownership of private property.

We can see inequality exist in our social life (race, gender, class etc.).  According to Charon, “ inequality is probably inevitable.” (90)  Everyone should be treated equally and fairly in terms of opportunity. But as we know, not everyone are in the same position. I don’t think that inequality is unfair. I believe that this inequality is necessary in our society. Because individuals are different and have diverse positions and desire, people will be same without the inequality. In other words, inequalities differentiate us from one another.

 From this article, I learned that culture is a major force that leads the inequality to be maintained. Also, according to this article, “over time, culture influences people to accept a system of inequality as natural” (Charon 83). That is, individuals accept inequality as natural by the system they were born into, and not by their opinions. Thus, unless the system of belief is changed first, nothing is ever going to change about. In other words, once a system of inequality is established, it is difficult to change. Because individual’s lack of advantages or disadvantaged status pass down to their children, people are born into or enter into a system of social inequality. Also, the structure is protected and maintained by people who have power politically and economically.