The Concept of Freedom in The Grand Inquisitor, Oedipus Rex, and The Crying of Lot 49
Delmy Alvarado
Philosophy 10
Chris Rocco
10/01/2012
First Essay Assignment The Price of Freedom
Freedom is believed by many to be physical. With freedom you can do what you want and say what you want without having to answer to anyone. The question is, is freedom really that simple? If so, does that mean we are all free? Reading the stories, “The Grand Inquisitor,” “Oedipus Rex,” and “The Crying of Lot 49,” have brought different perspectives on freedom. The three stories all brought into question the definition of freedom. Is freedom just the physical idea of freedom or is there more? Freedom is not just being unshackled and without an owner, it is having one’s own thoughts and ideas, one’s own morals, one’s own set of beliefs and being confident that you are being just and right. In “The Grand Inquisitor,” the character of the Grand Inquisitor believes that being free consists of having a moral compass that is correct, knowing what actions are good and which ones are bad. In “Oedipus Rex,” Oedipus believes that freedom is having a choice to your destiny. To him freedom is being able to know what each action will lead to. He believes that one’s fate is not set in stone. To Oedipa in “The Crying of Lot 49,” Freedom is truth, knowing what is going on in the world. Her idea of freedom is more controlled by the peace of mind that the outside world can bring her, being able to question reality and establishments and knowing what is what; that is freedom to her. Ultimately freedom is a mixture of all three. Freedom consists of being able to go against apparent destiny, which is achievable by knowing what is correct and what is wrong. Realizing what is just and what is unjust can help one go against what “destiny” has waiting for them. Once one realizes their own potential and limits, what the world expects of them, and what they can and are willing to do, one can start to question the reality of their world. To what extent are they in control of themselves
Philosophy 10
Chris Rocco
10/01/2012
First Essay Assignment The Price of Freedom
Freedom is believed by many to be physical. With freedom you can do what you want and say what you want without having to answer to anyone. The question is, is freedom really that simple? If so, does that mean we are all free? Reading the stories, “The Grand Inquisitor,” “Oedipus Rex,” and “The Crying of Lot 49,” have brought different perspectives on freedom. The three stories all brought into question the definition of freedom. Is freedom just the physical idea of freedom or is there more? Freedom is not just being unshackled and without an owner, it is having one’s own thoughts and ideas, one’s own morals, one’s own set of beliefs and being confident that you are being just and right. In “The Grand Inquisitor,” the character of the Grand Inquisitor believes that being free consists of having a moral compass that is correct, knowing what actions are good and which ones are bad. In “Oedipus Rex,” Oedipus believes that freedom is having a choice to your destiny. To him freedom is being able to know what each action will lead to. He believes that one’s fate is not set in stone. To Oedipa in “The Crying of Lot 49,” Freedom is truth, knowing what is going on in the world. Her idea of freedom is more controlled by the peace of mind that the outside world can bring her, being able to question reality and establishments and knowing what is what; that is freedom to her. Ultimately freedom is a mixture of all three. Freedom consists of being able to go against apparent destiny, which is achievable by knowing what is correct and what is wrong. Realizing what is just and what is unjust can help one go against what “destiny” has waiting for them. Once one realizes their own potential and limits, what the world expects of them, and what they can and are willing to do, one can start to question the reality of their world. To what extent are they in control of themselves