“We Are Free only when Others Are Free”: Reflections on Freedom from Philosophical and Theological Perspectives

It requires no measure of razor-sharp analysis or prophecy to observe that, 25 years into a hard-won democracy, millions of South Africans have not yet obtained the freedom that would enable them to collaborate in creating a qualitative, new society. Part of the problem seems to be the dichotomisation of a number of unavoidable questions resulting from freedom. In this article, some of these issues—like the notion of the born free, liberation, corruption, truth and freedom as a gift—are brought into discourse with the matter of freedom. Particular reference is made to the philosopher, Hanna Arendt, as well as the apostle Paul, in their respective interpretations of freedom. The article concludes with some broad strokes on the implications for South Africa of Paul’s understanding of freedom. The basic thesis of the article is that, unless freedom is brought into a critical conversation with philosophical and theological interpretations of freedom, it will not deliver to millions of South Africans trapped in inequality, unemployment and poverty.