The value of freedom and the definition of morality - thoughts after my visit to Virginia

Visiting my dad in Virginia was very eye-opening, and my views evolved after the experience. First was the state of Virginia itself. I had forgotten all about freedom, choice. The law allowed for choice, and people who chose to wear masks were not judgmental, were respectful and friendly and loving towards those without masks, and vice-versa. Everyone got along while the sanctity of freedom and choice were respected. Don’t tread on me was seen worn by all colours. Covid numbers were going down at the same time.

Second was seeing the cost of Covid-19 restrictions on the elderly first-hand. Numerous family members close to the end of life reported not being about to see their loved ones due to Covid restrictions. There were elderly such as my father who were suffering under Covid restrictions. Depressed, lonely, the clock ticking but no family or friends coming to visit them... Some became phobic to go outside. The end of life was dismal.

This should remind you of the cost of over-restriction. There is no moral high ground. If you think about morality, you will conclude there is no single universal moral principle. This notion of no single moral principle was well-described by the modern philosopher Jonathan Dancy, and is the foundation of modern moral thinking.

Moral decision-making is always a balancing act between decisions. Every decision will have a cost to some others. Morality means having a conscience in realizing the costs of a particular decision. Canada and Canadians have a very weak sense of morality, let alone freedom.

It's also important to note that the Canadian and international freedom movement is not a right-wing movement. There is a mass of leftists who believe the Canadian government's stance on freedom, freedom of speech, and Covid-19 restrictions, are all overly authoritarian. Some of these people are outspoken, and I can name them and they will prove that they are life-long leftists. Some are scared and only open up if safe to do so under Trudeau's chilling environment.

I'm talking about people with heart-murmurs, people with all sorts of health problems who are advised not to vaccinate, people who have looked at the actual science, including from Simon Fraser and John Hopkins universities, people against blind obedience...

So next time you take the moral high ground, have you thought about the cost? Have you thought about the value of freedom?