About

Freedom of Mind

One hundred ninety-two member countries have signed the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Understood within these fundamental rights is the understanding that each person is unique and has the right to live freely.

People should be free to think for themselves. They should be able to make independent decisions. They should have access to information that may be critical of those in power. They should have the freedom to assemble with others. They should have the right to make decisions about their health care, education and make enough money to live.

Social psychology and neuroscience have shown that people can be unduly influenced by other people, the media and the Internet. Unless the public is educated on how to distinguish lies, propaganda and disinformation from reliable and factual information, people will be easily manipulated through fear and mind control methods. These are best identified by the Influence Continuum and the BITE model.

To have freedom of mind, people need to have factual information provided by those with the expertise to give it. They also need the capacity to reality-test by asking questions and getting truthful answers that align with the evidence. They need to have the ability to make choices without fear or coercion.

When people become adults, they should be encouraged to trust their ability to act on their values. There should be an “internal locus of control” and not an “external locus of control” (a controller, group, authoritarian dictator).

Freedom of Mind is a fundamental right and requisite for a working democracy. Without it, all rational systems, including the political, break down. Mass hysteria and the cult of personality can never replace informed, intelligent rules of law, aimed at justice. Democracy depends upon integrity and conscience. Democracy depends upon the idea that power should have checks and balances, along with a commitment to the public good.