"Freedom": The Most Important Book You'll Never Read

Jeremy Griffith's Freedom: The End of the Human Condition is a rare gem that hardly anyone will have the courage or discipline to read.

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Why it matters

This book is a courageous look at the often ignored and repressed topic of the human condition. If you're ready to exit the state of denial, I challenge you – give it a chance.

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Why you should read it

Because it is honest, courageous and fundamental. It aims to expose the root of our alienation as a species. It embraces the grand task of describing the depth of the most fundamental problem – the human condition. It is a profound biological, evolutionary, and scientific examination of our capacity for good and 'evil'.

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Why you'll never read it

Because it is confrontational and extremely politically incorrect. Many people would be offended reading it. When summarising it, even ChatGPT flagged specific segments as inappropriate. Things we consider normal and promote are portrayed and explained as societal pathologies. Beyond this, it is somewhat self-aggrandising. It contains too much dramatisation. In my opinion, it is written terribly. It presents references in a very disruptive way. Writing this summary was almost as difficult as reading the book. ?

But above all, you'll probably never read it for another reason. You'll never read it because of the deaf effect. Because you're so used to living in denial. So, your ego will not permit the information to reach you.?

Despite this, if you summon the courage to start it… If you muster the discipline to finish it… You won't regret it. You'll never be the same. You'll be a better person.

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My three key takeaways?

I discovered the book on 15 September 2022. It is the start of the school year in my home country, Bulgaria. This proved to be highly symbolic. This book reached deeply into my moral foundations. It reorganised my value system, putting a premium on becoming a parent. It was a return to school for me. I'm glad I persisted over the coming months. Slowly but steadily, despite the struggle, I managed to read it. Three things stood out the most for me:

1. The cause of the human condition is the conflict between our instincts and our intellect. The conflict between the gene-based instincts and the nerve-based conscious thinking mind. The author convincingly demonstrates that there is a psychological dimension to our behaviour. The cause of our suffering is not a genetic-based fixed 'animal condition' but a conscious-mind-based, psychological 'human condition'. Understanding this brings the potential of freedom from this angry, egocentric, and alienated condition. ?
2. The meaning of life is to create order and unite matter into larger, stable groups. This is observable on the grand scale of the universe and a smaller scale across Earth's species. On a personal level, we can ascertain it as well. We evolve psychologically by integrating more and more life experiences into a larger whole. We integrate what has happened to become a bigger human being.
3. Parenting and nurturing are fundamental to being and growing as a human. They had a massive role in our moral development. Regardless of the motivation, the offspring always perceives paternal care as selfless. This so-called 'love indoctrination', when it occurs, lays the foundation for moral development. This is true on the level of the individual, as well as of the species.

Here is a high-level chapter-by-chapter summary.

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Chapter 1 - Summary of FREEDOM

People sometimes act mean but also know how to be nice. We get confused about why we do this. A long time ago, people looked for answers to stories and questions but didn't find a good one.

Now, there's a special idea that might explain why we feel this way. It's like a secret that could help us be happier and get along better.

This is like a puzzle about why we sometimes do mean things. We're not bad; we're just trying to understand the world.

Understanding this can make us feel better and start fixing old hurts. It's a new way of thinking that could lead to a happier life.

At first, learning this can be scary, like hearing a story you're not ready for. But, like getting used to light after dark, you can learn to understand it.

If you keep trying, you'll see why people act as they do. It's like solving a big puzzle and feeling good about it.

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Chapter 2 - The Threat of Terminal Alienation

People have been scared to think about why we act like we do. Scientists who should have figured this out didn't. Instead, they made up stories to explain our actions that weren't true. They ignored a big idea about why humans act differently from animals. Which the author first shared in 1983. This idea could help everyone understand themselves better.

But people got so used to being scared and not understanding themselves that they didn't want to learn this new idea. If we don't start understanding it, things could get really bad. We see signs of this in movies about zombies and the world's end. Some people feel lost and confused, like they can't connect with the world.

By explaining things and letting people talk about them, they will start to understand and feel better. We must understand why we've been so scared to face these tough questions about ourselves. It will show how this fear made scientists think incorrectly about why we do what we do.

Chapter 3 – The Real Explanation of The Human Condition

Everyone was once happy and kind. Then sadness and meanness came, and it was confusing. A smart person said understanding our bad actions takes courage. It's like fearing the dark until the light reveals there's nothing to fear.

The simple truth is people were once like animals, following instincts. Then, they began to think and choose, unlike animals. Imagine a bird named Adam choosing adventure over instinct. He felt guilty but curious.

Humans felt confused like Adam, torn between instinct and thought. They felt terrible but didn't know how to stop it.

We've realised it's okay to make mistakes while learning. It's like a secret map showing why we were lost. We're not bad. We're learners.

This understanding is powerful, helping us be kind again. It's like a light showing we're all heroes for trying in hard times.

Now, we can be honest, kind, and improve the world. We don't need to fake perfection. Just keep learning and be ourselves. It's an exciting time, like waking from a dream to clarity. We can be friends and live peacefully, like in the happiest tales.

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Chapter 4 – The Meaning of Life

Life's purpose is to create order and unite matter into larger, stable groups. This process is the true meaning of life. But humans seemed to go against this by acting selfishly and competitively.

We couldn't face this truth until we understood why we behave this way. Now that we can explain our behaviour, we can accept life's true purpose. This understanding also lets us see 'God' as a symbol of this truth.

With this knowledge, we can resolve the conflicts in human nature and society, like good versus evil and religion versus science. This will heal our psychological troubles and end our divisive ways.

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Chapter 5 - The Origin of Humans Unconditionally Selfless Self

Humans once lived in a kind and caring way, like an ideal place called the 'Garden of Eden.' Our instinct to do good for others, even if it's hard for us, puzzled thinkers. Our ape ancestors cooperated well, but things changed when we became self-aware. This led to suffering and feeling disconnected from others.

Nurturing played a huge role in our moral development. It taught us to be selfless and work together as a society. Early primates nurtured because they could carry their babies while walking on two legs. This led to us walking upright. Love-indoctrination needed perfect conditions like lots of food and safety. Selecting mothers' caring traits was tricky, but it worked. Our ancestors succeeded in this process, which gave us our sense of right and wrong. Knowledge led to conflicts among humans.?

Fossils support the idea that early humans lived in nurturing environments. Not in the harsh savannahs as thought. Recent findings show that early humans had smaller canine teeth. This means less aggression and females having more say in choosing mates. The evidence also points to early humans having a society where males and females were more equal. This suggests a community led by females. This all supported the development of love indoctrination.

Recent evidence shows that early humans had strong bonds between mothers and infants, challenging old ideas. Bonobos, which are like us, also show signs of cooperation and may have gone through a similar process. They use sex to keep the peace and are good at getting along, although they haven't finished the process.?

Nurturing is crucial for human development, but discussing it was hard due to our current problems. Our consciousness helped speed up our moral development. Humans are unique in their ability to love, thanks to our evolution. Species that can't develop love miss out on something great. Bonobos, like humans, look youthful because they've kept child-like features.

Bonobos have strong bonds between mothers and infants and care for each other in groups. Female leadership is important for their harmony. Watching bonobos can teach us about empathy and love, which are often missing in human societies. It's sad that bonobos are declining, as they help us understand where we came from.

Nurturing is essential for morality in humans and bonobos, even though some resist this idea. This challenges old ideas about how humans evolved and connect these thoughts to human stories and religions.

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Chapter 6 – End Play for the Human Race

A mother's love and care are crucial to shaping a person's morals and social skills. This idea comes from our history as humans. It says that how a mother nurtures her child greatly affects that child's behaviour and values.

There are some theories, like the Self-Domestication Hypothesis. They suggest that humans became more cooperative by being less aggressive. But these theories don't fully explain our deep sense of love and teamwork. Studies on bonobos, peaceful primates, support the idea that nurturing, not aggression, is important in our evolution.

In short, understanding the role of a mother's nurturing is vital for knowing more about human behaviour and society. This idea has some support but is not widely recognised in science yet.

It's also important to be open to new scientific ideas, especially about human behaviour. Being open helps science progress. This applies to learning more about the human condition. This understanding can help improve both science and society.

Good parenting and understanding love are integral to being human.

Chapter 7 – What is Consciousness

Consciousness is the ability to understand and manage relationships between events. It's linked to human behaviour, memory, and how the brain learns. Forgetting helps the brain rank information. Language development played a significant role in evolving consciousness. Often, people avoid deep thinking out of fear of confronting complex issues.

Consciousness was seen as too complicated for scientific study. This led to its neglect in research. Adolescents and others frequently focus on achievements to avoid deeper existential questions. Intelligence is commonly judged based on IQ and academic success, rather than emotional wellbeing.

The Social Intelligence Hypothesis and Ecological Dominance-Social Competition models attempt to explain the emergence of human consciousness. However, they are inadequate. They fail to explain why consciousness is unique to humans compared to other animals.

Consciousness in humans and animals is influenced by genetic factors that resist selfless behaviour. But it is crucial for conscious thought. As adults age, they often lose imaginative thinking and become detached from deeper truths. Understanding the human condition and the different cognitive roles of the brain's hemispheres is important.

Nurturing and love are essential in developing consciousness. This helps us overcome instinctive blocks against selfless thinking. Consciousness evolves from infancy into adulthood through various stages.

Early human societies were matriarchal and centred around nurturing. Over time, patriarchal societies developed. They were driven by the need to address instinctive challenges and advance human understanding. This evolution represents humanity's psychological journey. A journey from a state of ignorance to a greater awareness and enlightenment.

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Chapter 8 - Humanity's Journey from Ignorance to Enlightenment

Human development is a journey from ignorance to enlightenment. It has stages, starting with childhood with its conflicts and learning. Then, in adolescence, we become aware of life's imperfections. Language development was key to expressing our growing alienation from instincts. In adulthood, people often become self-centred, ignoring hard truths. This state, called "Resignation," is a psychological condition. Yet, we can overcome with care and understanding.

Historically, human society shifted from cooperation to competition and aggression. Gender roles evolved, affecting relationships. Men often sought power, while women focused on nurturing. This dynamic led to conflicts and misunderstandings.

Sexuality and innocence are crucial in human behaviour. Men are drawn to women's youth, which signals health and fertility. But, this often ignores deeper psychological issues.

Women have historically been oppressed and struggled to maintain innocence while nurturing. And differences between men and women are real, not just cultural. Homosexuality in men is linked to sexual destructiveness.?

Childhood trauma affects men's attraction to women and contributes to homosexuality. The rise in alienation is linked to modern casual approaches to sex. Power dynamics between genders have evolved. Feminism improved women's rights but hasn't fully changed power imbalances.?

In history, storytelling, art, and music expressed deep emotions. Religion helped cope with loneliness. Ancient symbols like Stonehenge symbolised love and connection. In old age, women often feel invisible. Domestication led to increased upset, reflected in conflicts and violence.?

Emotional disorders like bipolar disorder and ADHD are rising, partly due to the internet and media. Communication technologies contribute to societal distress. Trends like tattoos reflect a shift in youth culture.?

Healing methods like SCENAR and Buteyko are gaining attention. Parenting challenges, like a lack of emotional connection with infants, contribute to ADHD and autism.

Children face a tough resignation process, often blaming themselves for adult dysfunction. Power addicts and psychologically damaged individuals increasingly dominate society. Understanding the human condition is crucial for addressing these issues.

The author also explores the history and genetics of various populations. He warns against categorising people based on race or gender. Materialism and envy in less developed countries can lead to corruption.

The world faces challenges like inequality, terrorism, and fundamentalism. Different forms of idealism are seen as escapes from facing the human condition. These include socialism, feminism, and political correctness.

Postmodernism is criticised for weakening values and increasing alienation. Left-wing pseudo-idealism is seen as a threat to wellbeing. The text stresses the importance of confronting the truth about human nature to counter these risks.

Finally, the author calls for defending freedom against oppression and stresses the importance of moral courage. Understanding the human condition could lead to a new way of life, moving from ignorance to enlightenment.

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Chapter 9 – The Transformation of The Human Race?

Freedom's final chapter explores the concept of a utopian emancipated state for humanity. Here, Griffith imagines a world where humans are free from the psychological burdens and existential anxieties that have plagued them throughout history. He describes how understanding the human condition – our capacity for both good and evil – can transform human behaviour and society.

Griffith argues that once people understand the underlying reasons for human behaviour, including our destructive actions, they can transcend these patterns. This understanding allows for a compassionate and empathetic view of ourselves and others, leading to a more cooperative and peaceful society.

In this envisioned utopia, the conflicts and divisions that have historically divided humans – such as race, nationality, and religion – would become irrelevant. People would be united by their common humanity and a shared understanding of the human condition. This would lead to a more altruistic society where individuals are motivated by the wellbeing of others rather than personal gain.

Griffith emphasises that this transformative state is not just a romantic dream but a realistic outcome of understanding and addressing the human condition. By achieving psychological liberation, humans can create a world of cooperation, empathy, and a deep sense of purpose and fulfilment.

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Conclusion

If you've gotten this far, you have what it takes. You are ready to wake up. You are ready to go beyond. You are ready to accept and then transcend the human condition.

I dare you! Give it a try. You will fail at first but return to it again. You'll build confidence and wisdom once you successfully read the book .