ARE WE A SOCIETY OF PICKPOCKETS?

The title refers to a quote from Thomas Jefferson about people who do not take responsibility for themselves and are thus like pick pockets are robbing others. The quote is referring to freedom of religion as an example of something that does not injure anyone when someone expresses their religious preference. "It neither picks your pocket nor breaks your leg." according to Jefferson. Thus, it is not the business of government to get involved as the government's role is to get involved only if someone does things that are injurious to others. Jefferson also concludes that freedom must be balanced by responsibility to others or it is not freedom but a cheapened version of the golden rule, namely "I can do what I wish and I don't care about anyone else." 

So, to be free we must be responsible for ourselves and responsible for what we do to others. Is this being responsible to others achieved by taking responsibility for ourselves and what we do? How does this influence other people? If you are responsible for yourself and your actions then you are aware of how you influence others and how what you do impacts others. Your being responsible will not allow you to hurt others as hurting others is being irresponsible to others and to yourself. How does one know that they are hurting others? We humans know this and if we don't then we are denying that fact and denial takes a lot of brain energy and that is exhausting. If groups of people collectively deny that they are hurting others then this can be more easily maintained for awhile but it is still draining and leaves the person feeling isolated and afraid. Why does not being responsible for ourselves lead to isolation and fear. Well, when we are not responsible for ourselves we put that resonsibility onto others. This alienates us from others and therefore isolates us. It also makes us afraid of others whom we judge as being against us.

What do you think?