Leonard Read, Session 3: Individual Integrity as the Foundation of Liberty
Working on our own moral development does change the world.
The phrases “freedom philosophy” and “philosophy of freedom” appear often in Leonard Read’s books. Read wanted his readers to know that parroting terms such as free markets isn’t enough; he is teaching us the philosophy of freedom. He wants us to internalize an understanding of the circumstances that release “human energy and the human spirit”. He suggests advanced intellectual development and deep cultivation of personal morals—not just activism. His emphasis is on “inner reflection and self-probing.”
The American spiritual teacher Ram Dass wrote, “I can do nothing for you but work on myself. You can do nothing for me but work on yourself.” Nothing is a strong word, but I think Read would basically agree with the sentiment. And because the true nature of reality is interdependence, working on our own moral development does change the world.
Believing we value a “freedom philosophy” means nothing until we become dedicated students of it. Read writes, “Only now and then is there an individual who becomes a real student of the subject, that is, who acquires a deep and abiding interest in freedom’s significance to himself and others.” He adds, “until a person becomes such a student, he is… impervious to freedom.”
Our imperviousness can have tragic results. Read asks us to reflect on “false notions of leadership.” Until we do, authoritarianism or worse will arise again. A person may seek power who does not hold principles congruent with the philosophy of freedom. If we don’t understand freedom, our ignorance “may cause us to follow and thus lend unwarranted encouragement to these dominators.”
Read shares a challenging example that is illustrative.
First, he asks this question: “Should we not realize that whatever shows forth on the political horizon, in the U.S.A. or elsewhere, is no more than a reflection or echoing of the preponderant thinking at the time? If the consensus be sheer babble, then the best babbler among us will be out front.”
Then he gives his example. Hitler,