Most of us have seen the movie The Price of Captivity, and if not, I recommend it. In this movie there was a character called Brook.
Brook had spent years in prison. One day the iron gates opened and he was told he was free. Freedom... The life outside, the sky, the streets, the crowds belonged to him.
But faced with freedom, Brooks didn't know what to do. He was scared, his hands trembled. Everything outside the familiar walls was unfamiliar: the chaos of the market, the emptiness of the silent rooms, the weight of anonymity.
Then freedom seemed to him not a promised blessing, but a burden he could not bear. Because freedom without responsibility was just another name for fear.
Making a choice makes one feel free, but bearing the consequences of that choice is also a responsibility.
In this article we will examine whether freedom alone is enough, and try to understand whether freedom without responsibility is meaningful.
As always, we can now begin to weigh the pros and cons of the issue philosophically and scientifically.
Philosophical and Scientific Background
Philosophical Perspective
Jean-Paul Sartre (Varoluşçuluk): "Man is condemned to freedom."
One of Sartre's most striking sentences is this:
"Man is condemned to freedom."
(1*)
The paradox in this sentence can actually help us understand the deep connection between freedom and responsibility.
According to Sartre, man is not determined from birth by any essence, identity or destiny. First he exists, then he creates his identity and meaning through his own choices. In other words, we start as a blank page; we fill the content of our lives with our choices.
But here is the crucial part: Because we are free, we have to be responsible.
Choosing is freedom, but bearing the consequences of our choices is also responsibility.
For example, whether or not to accept a job, to continue or end a relationship, to commit to a belief or to reject that belief...
None of these decisions are imposed on us from "outside". They all emerge from our hands as the product of our freedom. But that is precisely why, according to Sartre, we can have no excuses.
We cannot say "I did it this way because it was my fate" or "because society wanted me to". Because we are free, in every case we have made a choice. And we have to bear the responsibility for these choices.
In Sartre's approach, freedom is not a light thing, on the contrary, it is a heavy burden.
This is what he means by "condemnation to freedom":
Whether you like it or not, you are free. And this freedom does not allow you to escape responsibility.
Simone de Beauvoir: The Social Responsibility Dimension of Freedom
Beauvoir, like Sartre, sees freedom as the fundamental condition of existence, but in her approach freedom is not only an individual matter. For her, our freedom is always intertwined with the freedom of others.
Beauvoir's following sentence summarizes this:
"To realize one's own freedom is to make possible the freedom of others."
(2*)
That is to say, my freedom is not a real freedom when I ignore or harm others. For man does not exist alone in the world; he exists in relationships, in a social context.
This perspective directly adds a dimension of ethical responsibility to freedom.
If my choice restricts the living space of another person, that choice becomes an instrument of oppression, not of freedom.
If I use my freedom only for my own benefit, then my freedom becomes a false freedom, closed in on itself.
Beauvoir's existentialism defines freedom at this point not only as the ability to make individual decisions, but also as a responsibility to take into account the impact of our decisions on the existence of others.
To take another example, acting only in one's own interest in the workplace means ignoring the conditions of other workers.
In everyday life, harming the environment (harming nature, animals or other human beings) by saying "I can do what I want" is not freedom, but irresponsibility.
Thus, according to Beauvoir, freedom is always a shared space. We can only be free as individuals if we can make space for the freedom of others.
This view complements Sartre's emphasis on the individual "condemnation to freedom."
While Sartre demonstrates the inevitable responsibility of freedom, Beauvoir reveals the social dimension of this responsibility:
Freedom carries with it the responsibility to protect the freedom of others.
Hannah Arendt: Responsibility, Action and Political Freedom
For Arendt, freedom is not merely an "inner feeling" or individual choice. For her, freedom is the capacity to act in the public sphere. (3*)
Three fundamental concepts are interconnected in Arendt's thought:
Freedom means to act, not just to will or to think.
Action means to speak, to start something, to leave a mark on the world.
Responsibility means taking responsibility for the consequences of action, because every action affects the world of others.
Freedom in Arendt's perspective is not "doing what we want", but building a world together with others.
In other words, individual freedom only makes sense when we are part of a common world in the public sphere.
Therefore, responsibility is an integral dimension of freedom.
As soon as we act, we have to assume the impact of our words and actions on others.
This is where political freedom is born: to express opinions, make decisions and take responsibility within a community.
One of the most dangerous things for Arendt is the detachment of freedom from responsibility. As she saw in the experience of Nazi Germany, when people shirk responsibility by saying, "I just follow orders," freedom disappears. Because freedom can only be real when it is combined with a consciousness of responsibility.
Hence Arendt's message:
Freedom becomes visible only through action, and action is meaningless without responsibility.
Scientific Perspective
Psychology / Decision Making Processes
Perception of Free Choice and Responsibility
According to psychology, the sense of freedom and responsibility is largely linked to the functioning of our decision-making mechanisms.
The human mind does not only make logical calculations when making decisions; it also draws on emotions, past experiences and social expectations.
A sense of freedom often arises from the perception that "I made the decision".
However, research shows that (5*)many of our choices are pre-shaped by unconscious processes. (e.g. the placement of an attractive product in a shop window can influence our decision about whether to buy it or not).
However, a sense of responsibility increases when a person feels that he or she has made the choice.
In other words, a sense of responsibility goes hand in hand with the perception of free choice. When a person believes that he or she has made a decision "of his or her own volition", he or she more readily accepts the consequences.
In the psychology literature, this is related to the concept of "self-efficacy". (4*)
Individuals who are aware of their own choices also accept that they are responsible for the consequences.
In contrast, people who believe that their choices are determined by external factors (e.g. "it's out of my hands, it's fate") avoid taking responsibility.
Experimental studies show that when people are made to feel that they have a free choice, they are more likely to take responsibility even when the consequences are negative.
On the contrary, when there is a perception that "this decision was imposed on me", people are more likely to pass the buck.
In the end, psychology tells us that:
The sense of freedom is directly linked to the consciousness and perception of our decision-making processes.
The stronger this perception, the stronger the sense of responsibility, because the person is no longer just a chooser, but a subject who takes responsibility for the consequences of their choices.
Neuroscience / The Role of the Prefrontal Cortex
Feeling of Freedom and the Burden of Responsibility
Neuroscience brings the brain's prefrontal cortex (forebrain cortex) particularly to the stage in moments of decision-making. This region is the center of functions such as planning, evaluation, moral reasoning and thinking about long-term consequences. (6*)
Research shows that: When making a choice, a person not only visualizes "what to choose" but also the consequences of that choice.
In this process, the prefrontal cortex is activated and both the "feeling of free decision-making" and the "feeling of responsibility" are triggered together.
Functional MRI studies show that:
When a person makes a choice, the reward centers (dopamine system) are also activated when there is a perception of free will. This makes the feeling of freedom neurobiologically "satisfying".
But at the same time, different regions of the prefrontal cortex (especially the dorsolateral and ventromedial areas) also weigh the moral and social consequences of the choice. It does this through neural circuits that make us feel the "burden of responsibility".
For example, when participants in an experiment were forced to make simple choices (such as which button to press), their sense of freedom was weakened and prefrontal activation remained low.
But when the decision is actually left up to the individual, both the sense of freedom and the responsibility for the consequences are felt more intensely.
This shows us that:
Freedom and responsibility are not separate at the neuroscientific level, but are two sides of the same neural networks.
The freedom we feel while making decisions simultaneously connects us with responsibility.
In short, the brain whispers to us a truth:
The feeling of freedom is not a "lightness" in itself, but an "obligation" that brings with it responsibility.
Social Psychology /"Diffusion of Responsibility"
Free Individual, Diffused Responsibility
There is an important concept in social psychology: "diffusion of responsibility".
This concept refers to the fact that even if an individual has the capacity to make free decisions, his/her sense of responsibility decreases when he/she is in a group.
Let's take a look at this example:
When someone in a crowd cries for help, each individual thinks "someone else will intervene anyway". As a result, no one takes action. This is called the "bystander effect" in the literature. (7*)
The contradiction here is this:
Individuals are free, they can intervene if they wish. But when the responsibility is "everyone's", in fact no one is responsible.
This is not only the case in emergencies, but in all areas of social life:
At work: "The project was delayed, but the team was responsible, I couldn't do anything on my own."
Environmental problems: "What will happen if I separate my garbage, there are millions of people and no one throws it away, what effect will I have?".
In politics: "Whether I vote in elections or not, nothing changes anyway." and then dictators come to power.
Social psychology reminds us that:
Freedom is precious at the individual level, but when responsibility is not shared free individuals can become passive, even indifferent.
Thus, freedom becomes, paradoxically, a space where responsibility evaporates.
But as Sartre says, freedom is actually about accepting the weight of our choices. Even within a group, asking the question "what is my share of responsibility?" reveals the true meaning of both individual and social freedom.
Real Problems and Solutions
Problems
The concept of "freedom" in modern society
The concept of "freedom" in modern society often seems to be independent of responsibility, It is treated in such a way that it is reduced to choices we can make freely, which can cause people to be misled.
Consumer culture in particular uses this situation very well...
In advertisements, messages such as "choose freely", "create your own style", "buy what you want, live the way you want" are often given.
The definition of freedom here is reduced to "the right to make choices".
But the social, environmental or ethical consequences of these choices are almost never brought up.
For example, buying clothes from a fast fashion store is presented as a "free choice". But in the background is the labor of low-paid workers, the damage to nature, the unsustainable production chain.
Continuously buying new electronic products is marketed with the discourse of "liberation through technology". However, the minerals, waste and ecological destruction used in the production of these products are ignored.
The problem here is this:
Modern society defines freedom in terms of "pleasure and choice" and makes responsibility invisible. Thus, freedom becomes a deception that satisfies only the momentary desires of the individual.
But true freedom, as Sartre and Beauvoir emphasize, requires the ability to bear the consequences of our choices.
Freedom without responsibility is only an illusion; in fact, it often opens the door to new dependencies and chains.
Freedom on social media
The disconnect between "free expression" and "responsible expression" on social media is one of the biggest problems of our time.
Today, social media platforms offer individuals a more powerful space for freedom of expression than ever before. In a matter of seconds, anyone can convey their thoughts, feelings or even anger to millions of people. (9*)
But this is where the problematic part begins...
Oftentimes when people say "I speak freely", they ignore the impact of what they say on others.
While a tweet, a comment or a video may seem like a "personal opinion", it can spread misinformation, fuel social polarization or damage an individual's reputation.
In other words, freedom of expression is often lived without responsibility.
As I am sure you have come across, inaccurate health information can sometimes be "freely shared" and millions of people who access this information can be put at risk just because of this.
Hate speech or discriminatory language can be spread under the guise of "I am just expressing my opinion".
And now there is such a thing as lynch culture, individuals can be attacked and their reputations can be destroyed under the pretext of the right to free expression "as if they were collectively judged and punished". However, if there is a problem, it should be solved by the law and the police, but unfortunately people can lynch people under the guise of "free expression" without taking any responsibility.
You can see the dilemma too.
Freedom without responsibility only produces chaos.
When what one person says "freely" harms another person's right to life, dignity or security, freedom does not serve its purpose, but its opposite.
This is why the debate about freedom of expression on social media raises a deeper question:
"How can true freedom be lived without restricting the freedom of others?"
Disordered perception of freedom
One of the most common misconceptions today is that freedom is simply "freedom from restriction".
For many people, freedom has become synonymous with concepts such as "no one interferes with me", "I can do what I want" or "no limits". However, this perspective ignores the deeper dimension of freedom.
If freedom is understood only in terms of unrestrictedness, this leads to selfishness in the individual.
Freedom that is not balanced with responsibility produces anarchy and chaos at the level of society.
The act of disregarding the rules by saying "I am free" actually becomes an act that restricts the freedom of others.
Let's take an example:
A person who ignores speed limits in traffic threatens another person's right to life while thinking that he/she is experiencing his/her own freedom.
The understanding of "I can say what I want" in a community can harm the honor and safety of the other.
The discourse of "choose freely" in consumer culture can turn into a waste and environmental disaster with unthinkable consequences. (8*)
The fundamental point here is this:
When freedom is not balanced with responsibility, it becomes its opposite.
Rather than truly liberating the individual, it becomes a form of domination that violates the rights of others.
In short, seeing freedom as mere "unrestrictedness" deprives it of its value.
True freedom can exist with the awareness of limits, with the rights and freedoms of others.
Solution Suggestions
Freedom in the Stoic Approach
Taking-Responsibility-for-Our-Reactions
One of the most powerful teachings of theosophy is this:
"You cannot control what happens, but you can control your reaction to it."
As Epictetus often emphasized, the true realm of freedom is found not in external circumstances, but in the attitudes of our minds. This perspective directly links freedom with responsibility.
No matter what happens in the outside world, I am responsible for choosing my feelings, thoughts and actions.
I may be wronged, but will I give in to anger or remain calm? That is my choice.
I may experience failure, but will I see it as a disaster or as an opportunity to learn? That is also my responsibility.
Freedom, from the Sotheist point of view, is not "doing what I want" but being able to govern myself.
Thus, freedom is combined with self-discipline, which prevents us from being slaves to our emotions.
It is combined with responsibility, which helps us to take ownership of the consequences of our reactions. This, in turn, combines with the true power of freedom, so that we can focus on transforming ourselves, not others.
In short, Stoicism teaches us that:
Freedom begins when we take responsibility for our own reactions.
Freedom in the Existentialist Approach
Choice and Responsibility arising from Choice
In the famous words of Jean-Paul Sartre: "Man is condemned to freedom."
The idea behind this sentence is this: We make a choice every moment, and even not choosing is a choice.
Freedom, according to the existentialists, is not unlimited freedom. On the contrary, every choice is followed by the obligation to bear the consequences.
We can stay or leave a job, that is our freedom. But there are consequences, such as having to obey the rules of the workplace if we stay, or not getting our old income if we leave. Those consequences are also ours.
We can be honest with someone or we can lie to someone. That decision is ours, but we are responsible for the trust or distrust it engenders.
When we say "I choose my own path" in life, we have to accept the risks and failures of that path.
The existentialist approach shows us that:
Freedom goes hand in hand with responsibility.
Freedom without responsibility is only a dream, even a dangerous illusion.
Because freedom without responsibility for the consequences can turn into selfish behavior that violates the rights of others.
Therefore, from an existentialist point of view, the solution is this:
To see freedom not only as the "absence of limits", but also as the ability to stand up for every choice we make.
In a nutshell, Freedom "I choose this." Responsibility means "I bear the consequences of my choice."
And when the two are separated, freedom remains only an illusion.
Modern Psychotherapy (ACT, CBT)
Binding Choices with Values
Modern psychotherapies offer powerful tools for balancing freedom and responsibility.
Particularly Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) stand out here.
The perspective of the ACT approach is the following: (10*)
We cannot control life in its entirety, but we can make choices according to our values.
This means that freedom is not about being lost among unlimited options, but about being able to make decisions according to our own inner compass. This also includes taking responsibility for our choice.
CBT approach supports a healthier "free choice" by raising awareness in the triangle of thought-emotion-behavior. (11*)
For example, questioning cognitive distortions such as "if I fail, I am worthless" empowers the individual to make more realistic choices and to accept the consequences.
These therapies converge on a common point...
Freedom is not to do whatever we want, but to make choices that are compatible with our values.
Responsibility is to accept the consequences of these choices and to bear the burden of them.
Let's go with examples again...
When a parent raises a child, should "success" or "happiness" be the priority value? Here, freedom lies in which value to choose; responsibility lies in the consequences that will be reflected in the child's life.
Let's say we live in a city and we decide to move to a village. At this point, freedom is to make the choice; responsibility is to undertake the lifestyle changes that this choice will bring.
We can be visible on social media or we can remain more introverted. Again, it is freedom to make this choice; it is responsibility to bear the criticism that comes with visibility or the invisibility that comes with silence.
In short, modern psychotherapy teaches that:
Freedom, combined with values and responsibility, makes for a meaningful life.
Because freedom unbound by values produces idleness; freedom unbound by responsibility is merely the pursuit of short-term pleasures.
Social Practice
Freedom and the Rights of Others
Although freedom is often perceived as an individual domain, In real life, no freedom exists in isolation. Every choice we make directly or indirectly touches the lives of others. That is why the limits of freedom are determined by responsibility where they intersect with the rights of others.
Listening to loud music on the street is freedom; but when this behavior violates the right to peace of mind of those around us, the dimension of responsibility comes into play.
Writing whatever we want on social media is freedom; but when spreading misinformation or hate speech threatens the right to safety and dignity of others, responsibility is no longer there.
Traffic rules may seem to restrict individual freedom, but in fact they create a wider space of freedom by guaranteeing everyone's safety.
This perspective reminds us that
Freedom is not just about saying "I can do whatever I want"; it is also about asking "how does what I do affect someone else's freedom?""
True freedom, when balanced with responsibility, creates a space of social trust.
Freedom divorced from responsibility can lead to chaos or selfishness. But freedom combined with responsibility becomes both an individual and a collective achievement.
Conclusion and Message to the Reader
I think it is imperative for every individual to realize this: Freedom is not a privilege in itself, it is meaningful when it is accompanied by responsibility.
Every choice is pregnant with consequences. The freedom that ignores the responsibility that these consequences will bring is a hidden enemy that interferes with peace and opens the door to chaos and anarchy, even though it may seem like freedom.
This question is for you:
Do you prefer the unpredictable consequences of ignoring the responsibilities that your free choices will bring, or do you think that freedom is more meaningful with responsibility?
It is as important to understand freedom and responsibility as it is to understand the words we use to express them... In the next posts, we will try to look at the origin of words and the journey of meaning they carry across cultures.
Till then, stay in love.
📌 References
- Jean-Paul Sartre - Presence and Nothingness (1943)
- Simone de Beauvoir - On Ethics (1947), The Second Sex (1949)
- Hannah Arendt - The Human Condition (1958)
- Albert Bandura - Self-Efficacy (1977)
- Benjamin Libet - Do We Have Free Will? (1985)
- Greene, J. & Cohen, J. - For the Law, Neuroscience Changes Nothing and Everything (2004)
- Latane & Darley - The Bystander Effect (1968)
- Zygmunt Bauman - Liquid Modernity (2000)
- Shoshana Zuboff - The Age of Surveillance Capitalism (2019)
- Steven C. Hayes - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (1999)
- Aaron T. Beck - Cognitive Therapy and the Emotional Disorders (1976)
