Can We Live However We Want As Long As We Don’t Harm Anyone?

This question addresses how one should use their personal freedom (individual autonomy) as well as whether personal freedom is the greatest pursuit for humanity.

The questions below are listed for Core Team members at Coworking locations who participated in a Conversation Matters discussion about the topic. Consider inviting a friend to coffee or lunch and see how far the conversation can go.

Don’t feel pressured to force the conversation further than your friend is open. Simply ask questions and listen well. Before you meet your friend for the conversation, pray for your friend and your time together: 1) pray that your friend is open to the conversation, 2) pray that you would grow to love your friend more, and 3) pray that you are used by God to share His undeserved love in compelling ways with your friend.

If you or your friend did not participate in a Conversation Matters you can still use the questions below, but consider a different starting point. For instance, you could begin with “I'm connected with an organization that creates discussion forums in Coworking locations and last month's topic was… [see the question above].” Then you could ask, “what do you think about that question?” Consider progressing the conversation with more questions listed below.

Questions:

• What did you think about the lunch discussion on living however we want as long as we don’t harm anyone?

  • Note: Consider whether your friend shared anything during the discussion that you could ask a specific followup question?

  • Note: If your friend did not share anything, then you can ask, “I didn’t hear you comment in the discussion.  Did anyone share a perspective that was similar to yours?”

• Was anything shared by others that made you consider a new perspective on personal freedom and autonomy?

• Have you ever thought about how to use your personal freedom before the discussion? 

• Do you think it’s difficult for societies to agree on what “harm” is?

  • Note: One of the conclusions from the discussion was that our definition of harm is directly connected to our view of what a good human is.  

  • How do you define what a good human is? 

  • How did you come to that conclusion? 

• One of the conclusions from our discussion was not simply considering how “not to harm others” but using our freedom for the good of others.  Do you think it’s important to use our freedom for the good of others?

  • Why do you believed this?

• Have you ever considered how loving relationships infringe on our personal freedom?

  • Is that good or bad? 

• Is it more important for humans to pursue personal freedom/autonomy or loving relationships?

  • Don’t loving relationships make life more meaningful than the constant pursuit of autonomy (personal freedom as the highest good)?

• Can you think of someone who has used their personal freedom for your good?

  • Note: Parents are often mentioned here.

  • What was their motivation to do so?

• Gospel - One of the most attractive aspects of Christianity, for me, is the message that Jesus used His freedom for my good.  Christians believe that God loved the world so much that He sent Jesus, His Son, on a rescue mission for humanity - for me!  The message that Jesus lived a perfect life and suffered a torturous death to absorb God’s wrath against all violent rebellion against Him is one of ultimate freedom used for good - all motivated by His great love for us - for you and me!

  • Have you heard that aspect of Christianity - that Jesus used His freedom for our good?