--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Freedom is a permanent problem for us…" description: "\"Freedom is a permanent problem for us, both unavoidable and insoluble.\" — Allen W. Wood" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/141/allen-w-wood-2748_freedom_freedom-is-a-permanent-problem-for-us-bo_1301945.jpg" --- # Freedom is a permanent problem for us, both unavoidable… ![“Freedom is a permanent problem for us, both unavoidable and insoluble.” quote by Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/141/allen-w-wood-2748_freedom_freedom-is-a-permanent-problem-for-us-bo_1301945.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/141/allen-w-wood-2748_freedom_freedom-is-a-permanent-problem-for-us-bo_1301945.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/141/allen-w-wood-2748_freedom_freedom-is-a-permanent-problem-for-us-bo_1301945.jpg) > “Freedom is a permanent problem for us, both unavoidable and insoluble.” [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Freedom is inherently problematic, always presenting challenges and unresolved tensions. **In simple terms:** Freedom is problematic. Key Takeaway Navigate freedom’s challenges. Themes freedom philosophy paradox politics ethics Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical political When to use this quote - legislation - activism - personal decision‑making - social movements Key Concepts liberal theory political philosophy human nature Questions to Reflect On - How do we mitigate freedom’s downsides? - What responsibilities accompany freedom? A Different Perspective Freedom can lead to conflict or inequality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Freedom Permanent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom-permanent-3707863/) [Permanent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/permanent/) [Permanent Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/permanent-problem-429202/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Problem Unavoidable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem-unavoidable-4279003/) [Unavoidable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unavoidable/) [Unavoidable Insoluble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unavoidable-insoluble-4279004/) ## Related quotes > [As long as you do not feel the serenity in the body, in each and every joint, there is no chance for emancipation. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-k-s-iyengar/as-long-as-you-do-not-feel-the-serenity-in-the-body-in-each-and-every/) [B.K.S. Iyengar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-k-s-iyengar/) > [Diets are a temporary solution to a permanent problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roseanne-barr/diets-are-a-temporary-solution-to-a-permanent-problem/) [Roseanne Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roseanne-barr/) > [Freedom is the direction of history, because freedom is the permanent hope of humanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/freedom-is-the-direction-of-history-because-freedom-is-the-permanent/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [Lies are a temporary solution to a permanent problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/lies-are-a-temporary-solution-to-a-permanent-problem/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The matter of people being attracted to other countries is a permanent problem in my view, it doesn't only face South Africa. A whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thabo-mbeki/the-matter-of-people-being-attracted-to-other-countries-is-a/) [Thabo Mbeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thabo-mbeki/) > [Freedom is an unprovable but unavoidable presupposition, not an article of faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/freedom-is-an-unprovable-but-unavoidable-presupposition-not-an/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [It is sad to witness the persistence in our society of the racism and xenophobia that seems to be a permanent part of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/it-is-sad-to-witness-the-persistence-in-our-society-of-the-racism-and/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [Today, war of necessity is used by critics of military action to describe unavoidable response to an attack like that on Pearl Harbor that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-safire/today-war-of-necessity-is-used-by-critics-of-military-action-to/) [William Safire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-safire/) > [“No one, in the end, made it out of this life alive.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garth-risk-hallberg/no-one-in-the-end-made-it-out-of-this-life-alive/) [Garth Risk Hallberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garth-risk-hallberg/) > [“... life is a series of tiny, unavoidable decisions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-galloway/life-is-a-series-of-tiny-unavoidable-decisions/) [Steven Galloway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-galloway/) > [Some stresses are unavoidable - it's just part of life. One of the things I do to avoid stress is not work with people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-hill/some-stresses-are-unavoidable-it-s-just-part-of-life-one-of-the/) [Dan Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-hill/) > [I think fear is unavoidable and that, when recognized and embraced, it's something that can work for you - especially in the audition room.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-donovan/i-think-fear-is-unavoidable-and-that-when-recognized-and-embraced-it/) [Trevor Donovan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-donovan/) > [“Sometimes battles are unavoidable.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-a-thompson/sometimes-battles-are-unavoidable/) [Shannon A. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-a-thompson/) > [Killing is unavoidable but is nothing to be proud of](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-holzer/killing-is-unavoidable-but-is-nothing-to-be-proud-of/) [Jenny Holzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-holzer/) > [Everybody has losses - it's unavoidable in life. Sharing our pain is very healing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isabel-allende/everybody-has-losses-it-s-unavoidable-in-life-sharing-our-pain-is/) [Isabel Allende](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isabel-allende/) ## More by Allen W. Wood > [For the utilitarian, there is a fact of the matter about the good (the general happiness, or whatever conception of the good the utilitarian…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/for-the-utilitarian-there-is-a-fact-of-the-matter-about-the-good-the/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [No theory about our bodies as mere objects of observation and calculation (as distinct from partners in communicative interaction, assumed to be free) can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/no-theory-about-our-bodies-as-mere-objects-of-observation-and/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [Kantian ethical theory distinguishes three levels: First, that of a fundamental principle (the categorical imperative, formulated in three main ways in Kant's Groundwork); second,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/kantian-ethical-theory-distinguishes-three-levels-first-that-of-a/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [Some empirical feelings, such as sympathy, are indispensable parts of certain moral virtues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/some-empirical-feelings-such-as-sympathy-are-indispensable-parts-of/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [We commit not only theoretical error but also moral wrong in objectifying ourselves or other rational beings, ignoring their capacities for free action and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/we-commit-not-only-theoretical-error-but-also-moral-wrong-in/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [Kant certainly was sympathetic with the metaphysical tradition of rational theology that he criticized.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/kant-certainly-was-sympathetic-with-the-metaphysical-tradition-of/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [That Hegel's theory is derivative from Fichte's does not prevent it from being strikingly original and of independent value.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/that-hegel-s-theory-is-derivative-from-fichte-s-does-not-prevent-it/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [It is sad to witness the persistence in our society of the racism and xenophobia that seems to be a permanent part of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/it-is-sad-to-witness-the-persistence-in-our-society-of-the-racism-and/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [It is rational to choose the right means to your ends to develop very elegant abstract formal theories of rational choice, and then turn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/it-is-rational-to-choose-the-right-means-to-your-ends-to-develop-very/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [We can never prove that we are free or integrate our freedom in any way into our objective conception of the causal order of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/we-can-never-prove-that-we-are-free-or-integrate-our-freedom-in-any/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [Kant regards the universalizability test for maxims as focused on a very special sort of situation: one where the agent is tempted to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/kant-regards-the-universalizability-test-for-maxims-as-focused-on-a/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [My own view is that Kant's conception of the duality of the good (morality and happiness, the good of our person and the good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/my-own-view-is-that-kant-s-conception-of-the-duality-of-the-good/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [It is actually a nice question how far Descartes himself endorses the monological and metaphysically dualistic theory of mind associated with his name and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/it-is-actually-a-nice-question-how-far-descartes-himself-endorses-the/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [In fact people do not know enough about themselves and what is good for them to form a sufficiently definite conception of the general…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/in-fact-people-do-not-know-enough-about-themselves-and-what-is-good/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [Empiricist philosophy always tends to be anti-philosophy (and is often proud of it).](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/empiricist-philosophy-always-tends-to-be-anti-philosophy-and-is-often/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) [Explore all 151 Allen W. Wood quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) ## More Freedom quotes > [One is a painter because one wants so-called freedom; one doesn't want to go to the office every morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-duchamp/one-is-a-painter-because-one-wants-so-called-freedom-one-doesn-t-want/) [Marcel Duchamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-duchamp/) > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [I believe in freedom to do what you want if you aren't hurting others, but pictures of obese protesters giving their children big gulps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-defranco/i-believe-in-freedom-to-do-what-you-want-if-you-aren-t-hurting-others/) [Philip DeFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-defranco/) > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [If we gave up our freedom as the price of security, we would no longer be the great nation that we are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bader-ginsburg/if-we-gave-up-our-freedom-as-the-price-of-security-we-would-no-longer/) [Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/) > [We live in the greatest country in the world because of the veterans who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom and the security…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-husted/we-live-in-the-greatest-country-in-the-world-because-of-the-veterans/) [Jon Husted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-husted/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [“No one was more surprised than I to realize that my newfound freedom had been purchased by giving up on eternity and settling for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-jessop/no-one-was-more-surprised-than-i-to-realize-that-my-newfound-freedom/) [Carolyn Jessop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-jessop/) > [“In a world of fixed future, there can be no right or wrong. Right and wrong demand freedom of choice, but if each action…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-lightman/in-a-world-of-fixed-future-there-can-be-no-right-or-wrong-right-and/) [Alan Lightman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-lightman/) > [“In any case, white people, who had robbed black people of their liberty and who profited by this theft every hour that they lived,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-baldwin/in-any-case-white-people-who-had-robbed-black-people-of-their-liberty/) [James Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-baldwin/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [“I have to blame myself for not finding any way of reaching him, but I can't feel that either Ruth or I had anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-stegner/i-have-to-blame-myself-for-not-finding-any-way-of-reaching-him-but-i/) [Wallace Stegner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-stegner/) > [“It breaks my heart. Better than your words, your eye tells me all your peril. You are not yet free, you still search for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/it-breaks-my-heart-better-than-your-words-your-eye-tells-me-all-your/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [History has often showed us the strength of the forces that are unleashed by the yearning for freedom. It moved people to overcome their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-merkel/history-has-often-showed-us-the-strength-of-the-forces-that-are/) [Angela Merkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-merkel/) > [I don't want to be famous famous. I'm happy on the second tier, where I have autonomy on a professional level but I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-reece/i-don-t-want-to-be-famous-famous-i-m-happy-on-the-second-tier-where-i/) [Gabrielle Reece](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-reece/) [Browse all 30,110 Freedom quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Freedom is a permanent problem for us, both unavoidable and insoluble.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Allen W. 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