Second Question: The Giver

[Ian]

In our society, life isn't always a black and white choice between pain and freedom or happiness and subjugation. Where do we draw the line? How much freedom can we sacrifice in the name of safety? How much risk do we want to take for the sake of choice?

[Catherine]

what is the freedom? freedom of thought? the freedom to act? freedom to survive? individual freedom? collective freedom?

"The first of human rights, it is individual freedom, freedom of property, freedom of thought, freedom of labor. " -Jean Jaurès

Where do we draw the line?
the line is individual, but society is collective. to establish a line, it is necessary, that the representation itself at an acceptance of all.
the base is, for me, established by tables of the law, and the rights of man. if these doctrines were applied, and respected we would start draw the line.
you will not kill, everyone is free and equal in rights ............

How much freedom can we sacrifice in the name of safety?

if we sacrifice freedom, we are not free?
We must respect others, but our freedom ends at the time, or it does not recognize the other's.
in every society, for live together, we must understand that there is 1 me ( I am my world ), 1 us ( we are building together ), and, 1 you ( but you have the right not to think like me ) !

How much risk do we want to take for the sake of choice?

it must have a collective memoir, remembering the mistakes, learn from mistakes and do not repeat the mistakes, but it requires the acceptance that we are not perfect, we're human.
and we never know if we made ​​the right choice!

all civilizations of the Incas,Athens, Romes, had cited examples he thought best, but today ............

[W.L.]

Do we really have freedom when there are people of greater power creating the rules and guidelines for the way we are to live? I appreciate all of the freedoms I have in the US but the laws are conflicting from state to state and causes confusion on what is right and wrong. Unfortunately there are people who take advantage of our freedoms to gain something for themselves whether it be stealing money or stealing a life. I do believe we should have the freedom to choose our thoughts and the way we want to live our life so long as it doesn't take away someone else's freedom.

[Catherine]

the link between color and the freedom, humain and of the thought? this is an interesting parallel, as a concept.

[Catherine]

Elea11 wrote: "A great philosopher and thinker of the 18 century named Jean Jacques Rousseau wrote "One person's freedom ends where another's begins" .The french revolutionners got inspired by his ideas along wit..."
très claire *__* The book speaks, too, of the annihilation of thought, "for the good of all." or ! for the benefit of a minority. we are the result of history. it gives us an identity, and may explain our actions. The Culture, the belief, education we received, comes from our past, and affects our future. a society without a past, without memory, without culture, has no foundation to build their future. freedom is to be able to make its own choices, but for this it is necessary have the knowledge and the security .
La déclaration des droits de l'homme et du citoyen de 1789, découle d'un soulèvement d'une petite bourgeoise suivie par le peuple, après des années de souffrance.

[Catherine]

Elea11 wrote: "Chère Catherine, c'est un plaisir de partager cette discussion avec vous. Bien que cela ne soit pas mon exercice préféré , je vais tâcher de poursuivre en anglais pour que cela reste accessible à t..."

The humans are "animals" who lives in a group. It grows and develops in interaction with its environment (location, culture, the people he meets)

many phases can be observed.
1) at his birth, his parents
2) then his immediate family (brother, sister, family)
3) his classmates, kindergarten, cultural and sports activities, etc. .....
4) his work.
Its environment, personal history, and familly. its own experiences (good or bad) will make him the adult of tomorrow.
But to live together, there are rules and codes. They are essential for life in society, and each society,at its rules and codes. (This can be seen in the animal kingdom, too)
If you remove one of these elements, we created a "deficiency", it can be more or less important.
the concept of freedom is something that allows creativity and development,
but this should no to inhibit, creativity and the development of the other.
Laws have been written since the dawn of time. but first we know the ten commandments. it is a base (for believers or non coyants)
- Honor your father and your mother (respect)
- Do not murder
- You do not steal.
- Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor
- Thou shalt not covet not
But nothing is no white or black. there are shades of gray.
and man is a "predator". he always wants more. So, to be the leader, the one that is admired, the "king" of the pack, it is near everything.
and the freedom of the other (live differently, thought differently, belief differently) it difficult to accept
For the human it is the pursuit of power. through it, it research the identification, a form of immortality.

But freedom is constructive.
it allows the exchange of ideas, techniques, the birth of new inventions.
It allows a society to evolve.
But this can be painful, because it means that the other does not belong us!we must accept that it is different from us! *__*