As the year comes to an end, I wanted to discuss something I realised has become a symbiotic relationship the more interconnected we have become as a society. It is the relationship between individual freedom and social responsibility.
Freedom vs. Responsibility
This raises a big question: when does social responsibility encroach on individual freedom and should it?
Individual freedom is the right to make choices without undue restraint, as long as others’ freedoms are respected. Social responsibility, on the other hand, is the ethical duty to act for the greater good — whether that’s businesses providing recycling bins, or individuals choosing to recycle.
In a society where responsibility is shared, collaboration feels natural. But when it’s unevenly applied — like individuals being fined for littering but companies dumping trash into rivers— it can feel more like coercion than collaboration.
Can we call society “fair” if responsibility is imposed on a few while others remain exempt?
Let’s look at it from 2 different perspectives Libertarian and Utilitarian
The Libertarian Perspective: Freedom First
From a libertarian viewpoint, individual freedom is the ultimate value. Libertarians argue that the right to personal liberty should take precedence over societal demands for collective behavior. After all, freedom means having the ability to make personal choices—whether those choices are popular or not.
In this view, social responsibility cannot justify infringing on personal freedoms. Even when public opinion pushes for conformity—be it the latest social trend, political correctness, or collective activism—libertarians would argue that individuals should have the right to opt out without facing judgment or consequence.
The Utilitarian Perspective: The Greater Good
On the other hand, utilitarianism puts the common good at the center. According to this philosophy, actions should be evaluated based on their consequences for society as a whole. In this view, individual freedoms might need to be curtailed if it’s for the benefit of the larger community.
For example, in the context of environmental responsibility, the utilitarian argument might support limiting personal freedoms (like car ownership or meat consumption) if these sacrifices can help reduce climate change and promote long-term societal well-being.
(Which is ironic when you realise that larger corporations curbing their carbon emissions would be more effective than a single person recycling…I still do recycle but you have to admit it is funny)
The Clash in Modern Society
Today, this tension is more visible than ever. Social media amplifies the need for individual freedom and also social responsibility, where likes and shares often validate ideas and lifestyles.
Protests, for instance, while they are a critical part of social change, they can also lead to unintended consequences. When protesters block roads, destroy property, or disrupt people’s livelihoods, the people most affected are often the ones who may already be struggling to make ends meet—like delivery drivers, small business owners, or workers trying to earn a living.
Recently in Melbourne, rocks were hurled at police officers who were doing their jobs in trying to maintain peace and order for citizens going about their day and also respecting individuals rights to protest and counter protest one another.
The irony is that the actions of these protestors might turn more people away from their message than towards it. As we know the road to hell is paved with good intention. It ends up creating a situation where the solution to one problem ends up exacerbating the suffering of others who are just trying to survive, which can feel like an unfair trade-off
Why should my personal liberties be curtailed due to your ‘view’ on what social responsibility should look like?
This is where the clash occurs: how do we balance the desire to foster a sense of social responsibility while still respecting personal freedoms?
Finding a Middle Ground
Ultimately, the goal should be to find a balance—encouraging people to make responsible, ethical choices. But also respecting people who are doing their jobs and trying to make the best out of the hand they’ve been dealt. As humans we are complicated which results in us making processes equally complicated —somehow I doubt we will ever find the perfect solution.
But to come close to one, people should be empowered to make decisions for the common good, but not at the expense of their right to think, speak, and live freely.
Food for Thought
In an age where societal pressures often dictate how we live and what we believe, it’s important to acknowledge the fine line between social responsibility and individual freedom. While we all have a role to play in creating a better society, we must also protect the freedoms that allow us to live authentically, express diverse opinions, challenge norms.
Because only when freedom and responsibility walk hand in hand, will we thrive.
ArrowsInk 