Now, understand, Washoe is a pampered animal in the University's laboratory--well fed, physically comfortable, safe from harm. She had security. And yet when she was able to put words together on her own into a phrase, these were the first three. She has said them again and again repeatedly--mimicking us humans. "I want out!" "I want out." "I want out."
The human spirit longs for freedom. It doesn't like constraint and restriction. Only it feels constrained by obligation--obligation to others, to God, to ourselves, to our religions, cultures, and morals. When you feel obligated you will never be free.
4 comments:
So, is the point here, that our longing for freedom is an impulse of the flesh, shared with all flesh, including chimps?
Are we only distinctly human in our liberty to be free to do as we ought as opposed to our seeking liberation or freedom from all restraint, even moral restraint?
Dear Elliott,
Thank you for your kind interaction with this post. I would actually argue that humans are NOT free, unless they have chosen to put their faith in the Lord Jesus. They are constrained by an inability to keep the law. They are in bondage to sin. Or should I say, we, are in bondage to sin- unless we choose to trust in the Lord Jesus as the sacrifice for our sin.
I would be interested to hear your thoughts on this. Please feel free to write again!
On behalf of the Ramesh Richard Team,
April
Dear April,
I was asking about contrasting the human longing for freedom vs. the chimps longing for freedom. How are they the same?
From your first answer, I would say that the difference is that the chimp's desires would be fulfilled by leaving the cage, whereas the humans longing is only satisfied by gaining eternal life through Christ.
The chimp's destiny is back to the earth, whereas the destiny of humans is either the great white throne judgment or in the presence of the Lord...
However, is the inclination toward freedom a flesh born impulse in both animals and humans?
Thank you for your response, April. God bless!
Dear Elliott,
Thank you for continuing your interaction. I believe Dr. Richard intended this story only as an illustration, rather than as a comparison.
I do not know what would allow this chimp to feel free, but I would agree with you that true human freedom is only found in Christ, no matter how free we may feel physically.
On behalf of the Ramesh Richard Team,
April
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