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My dignity as a man, my human right which consists of refusing to obey any other man, and to determine my own acts in conformity with my convictions is reflected by the equally free conscience of all and confirmed by the consent of all humanity. My personal freedom, confirmed by the liberty of all, extends to infinity. The materialistic conception of freedom is therefore a very positive, very complex thing, and above all, eminently social, because it can be realized only in society and by the strictest equality and solidarity among all men.

Mikhail Bakunin#13

FreedomEqualitySolidarity

About this quote

What does it mean?
Personal freedom is confirmed by the equal liberty of all and requires strict equality and solidarity. It is a social condition realized only within society.
In plain terms
My freedom depends on everyone else being free and equal.
What can you take from it?
True freedom is social and requires equality for all.

Where it applies

  • defining human rights
  • building a free society
  • resolving conflicts

Putting it to work

  • advocate for equal rights
  • emphasize collective responsibility

Questions to consider

  • Is freedom possible without equality?
  • How does society enable liberty?

Another view

This view challenges individualistic notions of liberty.

More from Mikhail Bakunin

  1. The materialistic. realistic, and collectivist conception of freedom, as opposed to the idealistic, is this: Man becomes conscious of himself and his humanity …

    Permalink to quote #12
  2. The first revolt is against the supreme tyranny of theology, of the phantom of God. As long as we have a master in heaven, we will be slaves on earth.

    Permalink to quote #14
  3. The peoples' revolution .... will arrange its revolutionary organisation from the bottom up and from the periphery to the centre, in keeping with the principle…

    Permalink to quote #11

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