Lack of essential freedom due to unawareness of actuality

Nature

The lack of essential freedom due to unawareness of actuality refers to the constraints individuals face when they are uninformed or misinformed about their rights, opportunities, and the realities of their circumstances. This ignorance can stem from inadequate education, media manipulation, or societal norms, leading to a diminished capacity for critical thinking and decision-making. As a result, individuals may unknowingly accept limitations on their freedom, perpetuating cycles of oppression and disenfranchisement. Addressing this issue requires enhancing awareness and education to empower individuals, enabling them to recognize and exercise their freedoms effectively.

Incidence

Empirical data on the incidence of lack of essential freedom due to unawareness of actuality is limited, as the phenomenon is inherently difficult to quantify. However, studies in cognitive psychology and media literacy suggest that significant portions of populations in both developed and developing countries are susceptible to misinformation, cognitive biases, and limited access to diverse perspectives, which can restrict their ability to make informed choices and exercise genuine freedom.
A notable example occurred in Myanmar in 2017, where widespread unawareness of the actual situation regarding the Rohingya crisis, fueled by misinformation and restricted media access, contributed to public support for government actions and limited critical engagement with unfolding events.

Claim

Both formal and informal educational systems leave a basic unawareness concerning the gift of human actuality, leading to a breakdown of the individual's basic freedom. This in turn limits his awareness of the possibilities inherent in a realistic understanding of his actual situation. It prevents a rational delineation of escape patterns. This can be seen in children who have not been taught to reappropriate their own failures, and to realistically relate those failures to the world rather than escaping from them.

Counter-claim

The notion that a lack of essential freedom stems from unawareness of reality is overstated. People are inherently capable of recognizing their circumstances and making choices, regardless of their awareness. Blaming unawareness for a lack of freedom undermines individual agency and responsibility. Instead of focusing on perceived limitations, we should empower individuals to seek knowledge and make informed decisions. The real issue lies in fostering critical thinking, not in the misguided belief that ignorance is the root of oppression.