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Rulers and generals muster their troops. Magnates muster the sums of money which give them power. The fascist dictators muster the irrational human reactions which make it possible for them to attain and maintain their power over the masses. The scientists muster knowledge and means of research. But, thus far, no organization fighting for freedom has ever mustered the biological arsenal where the weapons are to be found for the establishment and the maintenance of human freedom. All precision of our social existence notwithstanding, there is as yet no definition of the word freedom which would be in keeping with natural science. No word is more misused and misunderstood. To define freedom is the same as to define sexual health. But nobody will openly admit this. The advocacy of personal and social freedom is connected with anxiety and guilt feelings. As if to be free were a sin or at least not quite as it should be. Sex-economy makes this guilt feeling comprehensible: freedom without sexual self-determination is in itself a contradiction. But to be sexual means - according to the prevailing human structure - to be sinful or guilty. There are very few people who experience sexual love without guilt feeling. 'Free love' has acquired a degrading meaning: it lost the meaning given it by the old fighters for freedom. In films and in books, to be genital and to be criminal are presented as the same thing.

Wilhelm Reich#37

PsychologyPoliticsFreedomBiologyPowerMisunderstanding

About this quote

What does it mean?
Reich argues that while many groups mobilize resources for power, no movement for freedom has harnessed the biological basis of human freedom, and that the concept of freedom is misunderstood and linked to anxiety.
In plain terms
Freedom is misused and not defined scientifically, and movements lack the biological tools to achieve it.
What can you take from it?
Understanding freedom requires confronting personal and biological realities.

Where it applies

  • political activism
  • personal reflection
  • scientific research

Putting it to work

  • redefine freedom
  • explore biological basis of liberty

Questions to consider

  • What does freedom mean to you personally?
  • Can biology truly define freedom?

Another view

The claim that freedom lacks a scientific definition is debatable and may oversimplify complex social concepts.

More from Wilhelm Reich

  1. Under the influence of politicians, masses of people tend to ascribe the responsibility for wars to those who wield power at any given time. In World War I it …

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  2. For a decade, the politics of the European dictators was unrivalled. In order to comprehend the essence of politics, one only has to remember that it was a Hit…

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  3. The cry for freedom is a sign of suppression. It will not cease to ring as long as man feels himself captive. As diverse as the cries for freedom may be, basic…

    Permalink to quote #35

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