In the modern world, philosophical debates continue to raise the compelling question of the essence of freedom intertwined with the concept of death.

Freedom Embraced in Mortality

In the modern world, philosophical debates continue to raise the compelling question of the essence of freedom intertwined with the concept of death. As early as antiquity, thinkers maintained that a person's true dignity is revealed through the conscious choice of the moment of departure from life—a symbol of complete autonomy and inner self-determination. This idea demonstrates that a voluntary farewell to life is not an act of escape, but a supreme form of self-assertion that allows one to transcend the natural fears and limitations inherent in existence.

The primary argument here is that the possibility of independently determining the moment of departure from life becomes the greatest symbol of freedom. Examples of ancient heroes show that the willingness to defy the instinct of self-preservation reflects an unyielding determination to be the master of one’s fate. In this crucial choice lies the power that enables a person not only to reject the chains of imposed destiny but also to embody civic virtue and personal self-expression. However, this notion is not without its challenges: if death becomes an absolute, all-consuming aspect of existence, it imposes a final prohibition on the possibility of free self-realization. Thus, a dilemma arises in which freedom and death act as two opposing forces among which one must choose.

In summary, philosophical reflections on freedom through the choice of death prompt us to consider the limits of human dignity and autonomy. The awareness of the inevitability of the end gives rise to both a challenge and an opportunity: the willingness to accept one’s mortality becomes not an act of avoidance but the highest manifestation of freedom, allowing a person to live in full accordance with their principles. In this delicate balance between life and death lies a philosophical wisdom that remains relevant today, urging each individual to reflect on the true meaning of freedom.

Can one assert that true freedom is achieved through death, and what philosophical arguments support this idea?

The answer can be formulated as follows. On the one hand, some philosophical reflections assert that true freedom is expressed in a person’s ability to consciously choose the moment of their departure from life, thereby overcoming the primitive instinct of self-preservation and submission to fate. In this context, voluntary death is not so much an act of fleeing from life as it is a supreme expression of human dignity and autonomy. For example, one text states:

"Irony and voluntary death—two possibilities that constitute man’s privilege and remain inaccessible to beasts—together represent the ultimate guarantee of human dignity, as understood in antiquity. In particular, civic freedom is ensured by the determination to kill oneself at the right moment; the words of the Roman poet Luccan, 'swords are given so that no one is enslaved,' ... The freedom of Athens was spiritually affirmed at the moment of its demise through the suicide of Demosthenes, and the freedom of Rome through the suicide of Cato the Younger..."
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This argument points out that examples of ancient heroes illustrate how a conscious decision to end one’s life confirmed freedom, becoming a moral benchmark for civic virtue. A similar assertion is made in another text, where once again the right to end one’s life at the proper moment is emphasized as an expression of personal autonomy:
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On the other hand, there are philosophical reflections noting that the very concepts of freedom and death are linked to a profound existential choice. In several discussions, a dilemma is raised: if death completely consumes existence, then it deprives a person of the ability to realize freedom. One author writes:

"Thus, death, even more than time, deprives people of all freedom. ... If death were to prevail forever ... then, clearly, the matter of freedom, the matter of true liberation of humanity, must be considered utterly lost. But in such a case, we are faced with a new dilemma: either freedom, or death."
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Another argument put forward in favor of the idea is that accepting the inevitability of death, being ready to face it without fear, is the highest achievement of freedom. According to another thought:

"Readiness to accept death—'memento mori'—is the highest achievement of freedom. ... We must not seek death, but be ready for it, and in this readiness for death, rather than in its orchestration, lies true freedom to die."
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Finally, the aspect of overcoming the instinct of self-preservation is discussed. The renunciation of the eternal pursuit of life, with its love for personal comfort and security, is seen as a sacrifice that elevates a person to the heights of true freedom:

"Above all, in this struggle we overcome the fear of death; we rise above the animal instinct of self-preservation. ... For the sake of freedom, one is willing to sacrifice everything: health, property, happiness, even life."
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Thus, it can be argued that true freedom is achieved through death based on several philosophical arguments. They indicate, first, that self-determination through the voluntary choice of ending one’s life allows a person to choose the moment when they are no longer bound by the constraints of a forced existence, and second, that this can be viewed as the ultimate form of rejecting limitations and fears inherent in being. However, the presented materials also offer a critical caveat: if death is perceived as an inescapable, all-consuming force, it would preclude the possibility of a true understanding of freedom, leading to the dilemma of “either freedom, or death.”

In conclusion, the philosophical arguments that support the idea that true freedom is intricately connected with death are based on the examples of ancient heroes, the concept of self-determination through choosing one’s departure from life, and the overcoming of the fear of death—all of which affirm freedom as the highest form of personal dignity.

Supporting citation(s):
"Irony and voluntary death—two possibilities that constitute man’s privilege and remain inaccessible to beasts—together represent the ultimate guarantee of human dignity, as understood in antiquity. In particular, civic freedom is ensured by the determination to kill oneself at the right moment; the words of the Roman poet Luccan, 'swords are given so that no one is enslaved,' ... The freedom of Athens was spiritually affirmed at the moment of its demise through the suicide of Demosthenes, and the freedom of Rome through the suicide of Cato the Younger." (Source: link txt)

"Thus, death, even more than time, deprives people of all freedom. ... If death were to prevail forever ... then, clearly, the matter of freedom, the matter of true liberation of humanity, must be considered utterly lost. But in such a case, we are faced with a new dilemma: either freedom, or death." (Source: link txt)

"Readiness to accept death—'memento mori'—is the highest achievement of freedom. ... We must not seek death, but be ready for it, and in this readiness for death, rather than in its orchestration, lies true freedom to die." (Source: 1280_6399. txt)