Is it possible to have true freedom of thought are we well informed or just told

Question:We may be told what to think or nudged towards a certain opinion, in which case we clearly don't have freedom of thought. I don't think we can have freedom of thought in any case - all our thoughts and ideas stem from history and events of the past. The English language for example is the main medium of communication for many of us, but it is an invention of man so it has limited vocabulary, so if we think in English (or any language for that matter) our thoughts are limited. We can add new words to describe new things and broaden our thought, but it will still be influenced by the past.

I think if we try to be as well informed as possible and not rely on one or a few sources to make our decisions, our thoughts will be FREER than the case where we are told what to think. Being animals, we will always be influenced by the past and not have complete freedom of thought, but that is not a bad thing as it is in our nature.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: We may be told what to think or nudged towards a certain opinion, in which case we clearly don't have freedom of thought. I don't think we can have freedom of thought in any case - all our thoughts and ideas stem from history and events of the past. The English language for example is the main medium of communication for many of us, but it is an invention of man so it has limited vocabulary, so if we think in English (or any language for that matter) our thoughts are limited. We can add new words to describe new things and broaden our thought, but it will still be influenced by the past.

I think if we try to be as well informed as possible and not rely on one or a few sources to make our decisions, our thoughts will be FREER than the case where we are told what to think. Being animals, we will always be influenced by the past and not have complete freedom of thought, but that is not a bad thing as it is in our nature.

no.we know too much we become confused.the government only tell us what we need to know to a certain extent.

I don't think we are told what to think but we are more heavily influenced by what we read and see and hear than we perhaps think we are.

true freedom of thought would be geniuses who invent something that no one ever thought of or did something visionary. I think that's a rare thing

We can have freedom of thought - the problem comes when some people try to act on their most extreme thoughts.

"...that which you call "free will" is your mind's freedom to think or not, the only will you have, your only freedom, the choice that controls all the choices you make and determines your life and your character."

What else is there, but the freedom of your mind to think?

We are taught right from an early age to listen while your superior is talking, to do what you are told. Evidence of this is school, college and the workplace. We are taught to be good employees to be another cog in the company wheel.

If man is chained by ignorance and insecurity, enslaved by hatred and fear how then can he possibly think freely...

Upon times he is released from the bondage of the imprisoning maladies he is then free, and what is true freedom but mental tranquillity, the needlessness of thought for one has peace and stability and above all, Love.

The free mind in peaceful repose no longer thinks for it has found a tranquil and intoxicating utopia ..

True Liberty.

Yes. There are two items on which there are no tags; they are dreams and imaginations. So you have ful freedom of thought, but no freedom on it to act.

Who told you, you could have such a question? Think like this and you'll never get an A

Whether you're well informed or just told what to think are two sides of the same coin. Only be realizing that neither will get you where you want to go, can you begin to distinguish the trap we face in life and see how we can break free of it to actually achieve a state where freedom of thought is even possible.

Yes it is possible, though much of what we are taught is nonsense. It takes a strong will to keep your perspective and see straight. There are ethical principles, which not everyone follows that will keep you on track. Keep believing in the truth.

To think or not to think, that is the question.

It is our choice and if we all choose to think and not accept what we are told, or feel, or by whim - we would live in a better place.

Yaoi Shonen-ai's stole my answer again so I gave a thumbs up!

First, we must filter out the misinformation in order to have freedom of thought :-)