Freedom requires a purpose. It takes on meaning for you and me as we discover its uses. We know it when we exercise it, and we love it when we use it to attain some worthy goal. In short, freedom begs a "for what?"—or even "so what?"
One writer observes: "At best men cannot be simply free or simply happy in being free—they must always be doing something with their freedom, employing it to some purpose. As they become freer, have more choice in ends, their most difficult problems begin." Issues of Freedom by H. J. Muller, p. 49;
Our society is riddled by a disturbing disenchantment with freedom or the way freedom has been employed. Increasing numbers are to be found believing that freedom has failed the cause of social and economic justice and individual meaningfulness They see it as a hypocrisy of the Establishment, a smoke screen behind which the few permit, indeed perpetuate, conditions intolerable for many.
