Freedom and debauchery are different concepts by definition, but they tend to be confused in practice. This confusion has been the subject of debate throughout history.
The concept of freedom has always enjoyed a very good reputation. Through this concept the faculty of every man to choose to act in one way or another is indicated.
On the other hand, debauchery has been a concept linked to excesses. Some authors classify debauchery as one of the concepts most contrary to the concept of freedom, even more so than the concept of slavery.
While the dictionary of the rae speaks of freedom as a natural faculty to choose to act, it defines debauchery as a debauchery in acting itself.
In this sense, some authors refer to debauchery as the loss of freedom, as it is the corruption of an innate faculty.
Many argue that the difficulty in distinguishing between the two concepts is that debauchery is a consequence of mishandled freedom.
They argue that the difference between the two is that freedom, unlike debauchery, takes into account the social commitments that an individual acquires.
Following the definition of debauchery as an excess of freedom, debauchery often occurs more in individuals who are too obsessed with freedom than with the enemies of freedom themselves.
The difference between the concepts freedom and debauchery has been widely discussed in various areas of society and usually raises very subjective positions that try to define where one ends and the other begins.
Freedom of the press
The invention of the printing press meant a great advance for humanity in communication issues.
Even so, many consider that the abuses of its use have become a great tragedy for humanity.
Freedom of the press is constituted as the right of citizens to disseminate information not controlled by the state in printed media or of any other kind.
Not a few authors warn about the dangers of misuse of the media that have a great influence on populations.
While some argue that freedom of opinion must be total and unrestricted, others claim that opinions with misinformed, foolish and unfair judgments is not using freedom, but the debauchery of someone who has a dangerous instrument that they do not know how to master.
Freedom and debauchery in religion
Many religions, including Islam and the Catholic religion, preach freedom as a higher good of man granted by God.
Yet these same religions constantly speak of the dangers of debauchery and condemn it.
In religions it is insisted that debauchery often tends to masquerade as freedom and generally have well-defined religious rules, considered as the mandate of a divine being, which must be followed to avoid confusing libertine behavior with freedom.
Liberty and debauchery in politics
In politics, there is also constant talk about the dangers of passing debauchery for freedom, be it through mistakes or the bad intentions of political rivals.
The difference in freedom is most evident from a political and social perspective.
The Prime Minister of Great Britain between 1770 and 1782, Lord North, went so far as to write "debauchery is a freedom carried outside the limits between which the interests of civil society require that it be confined"
References
- Brown D. (1765) Thoughts on Liberty, on licentiousness and faction. Dublin.
- Cranston M. Locke and Liberty. The Wilson Quarterly (1976-). 1986; 10 (5): 82-93
- Levy L. Liberty and the First Amendment: 1790-1800. The American Historical Review. 1962; 68 (1): 22-37
- Reid J. (1988). The Concept of Liberty in the Age of the American Revolution. The university of Chicago press. London
- Setién J. FREEDOM OF OPINION. The Deer. 1965; 14 (135): 11
- Thomson J. (1801). An Inquiry, Concerning the Liberty, and Licentiousness of the Press, and the uncontroulable Nature of the Human mind. Johnson & Striker. New York.