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Freedom-Security-Games

Freedom vs. Security

It is said that by the second century of our era that ancient Romans during the reign of Trajan (Roman emperor from 98 to 117 CE) that at least one provision of current social justice was popular even then, that it is better that the guilty remain unpunished than the innocent to be condemned.  This is a thorny issue plaguing us all today.

However, and of more subtle distinction was at this time Romans loved security too much to be capable of freedom.  The distinction should not be lost on modern times.  At least one party in most western countries promotes security above everything else.  In their version of politics, they work to attract groups that venerate security, having persuaded them they never had it and that it is the primal goal to achieve.  Security, however, comes at the price of surrender of power, of thought, and of freedom in all forms. It surrenders to the provider (usually government) virtually unlimited power over their well-being. Freedom demands responsibility and sacrifice. It is more on the model of ancient Greece. It commands the citizen to monitor the government in what it does and to correct errors at personal risk. With freedom a certain level of chaos seems always present.

One could view the current battle between the positions these days is something like a Zoroastrian contest between security and freedom.  You decide which is the “good” and which the “evil.” Not an easy task, you can be sure.  However, it’s easy to build a case either way and therefore makes a building a convincing argument a difficult task  – if you prefer big picture or philosophical viewpoints.  When combined with international hegemony on many sides, the distinction and battle is more acute, and far more real. 

You may prefer security, but putting the price aside, who is the guarantor?  Security invites in the door a strong central government.  You may prefer freedom, but at what personal risk?  Are both possible together?  Probably not in the long term.

Consider that many or most of our laws limit rather than grant freedom. Conversely, many laws grant rather than limit security.  Our heroes champion freedom; our gods celebrate security.

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Game Theory

In the game of giving up, there is one loser and no winner.


In every play-by-play game (e.g. coin flipping, roulette) you will almost certainly win a fortune, if you play long enough. Yet, you will almost certainly lose everything, if you play long enough.  (Hint. Don’t lose everything first.)
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