What is the difference between independence and freedom according to the writer ?

Question

Now, what does it mean to be free ? Is freedom a matter of doing what happens to suit you, going where you like, thinking what you will ? This you do anyhow. Merely to have independence, does that mean freedom ? Many people in the world are independent, but very few are free.

Freedom implies great intelligence, does it not ? To be free is to be intelligent, but intelligence does not come into being by just wishing to be free; it comes into being only when you begin to understand your whole environment, the social, religious, parental and traditional influences that are continually closing in on you.

(1) What is the difference between independence and freedom according to the writer ?
(2) When can one be free ?

Answer 1

(1) According to the writer, ‘independence’ is not ‘freedom’. Many people in the world are independent but they are not free. Freedom implies intelligence.

(2) One can be free when one begins to understand one’s whole environment, the social, religious, parental and traditional influences that are continually closing in a person.