The Etiquette of Freedom - Gary Snyder

 

In his essay "The Etiquette of Freedom," Gary Snyder explores the concept of freedom in relation to nature and culture. He argues that freedom is not simply the absence of constraints (restrictions), but rather the ability to live in harmony with the natural world. This requires a deep understanding of the environment and a willingness to respect its limits.

Snyder begins by defining the terms "wild" and "culture." He argues that "wild" does not mean "untamed" or "uncivilised," but rather "self-organizing." A wild system is one that is able to maintain its own equilibrium (balance) without the intervention of humans. Culture, on the other hand, is a human-made system that is designed to meet our needs.

Snyder then goes on to discuss the relationship between freedom and culture. He argues that our culture has become increasingly alienated from nature and that this has led to a loss of freedom. We have become so accustomed to controlling our environment that we have forgotten how to live in harmony with it.

Snyder concludes by arguing that we need to learn to "practice the wild." This means learning to live in a way that is respectful of nature and that allows us to experience true freedom. This requires a deep understanding of the natural world and a willingness to let go of our need to control it.

Key points of the essay:

• Freedom is not simply the absence of constraints, but rather the ability to live in harmony with the natural world.
• Our culture has become increasingly alienated from nature, and this has led to a loss of freedom.
• We need to learn to "practice the wild." This means learning to live in a way that is respectful of nature and that allows us to experience true freedom.