在许多人看来，专权社会的问题只是政权的问题，仿佛只要换一个领导，甚至换一个体制，一切就能迎来改变。然而，历史告诉我们，如果文化、思想、制度没有根本性的转变，新的专权社会统治者不过是旧体制的延续。真正的自由，不是等待某个人带来，而是建立在思想的觉醒和社会认知的变革之上。用一句通俗的话说就是，你心里有什么样的境界，就会看到这样的境界，也会追求和推崇这样的境界。

    哈耶克在《通往奴役之路》中警告，极权体制的形成不是某个政党的偶然产物，而是社会长期接受强权统治、放弃个体自由的结果。伏尔泰强调，思想的自由比暴力革命更重要，因为思想决定了社会的方向。奥威尔在《1984》中则揭示了极权的更深层运作——通过控制语言和思想，让人们主动接受自己的枷锁。这些思想家共同指出，社会的真正变革始于个人的觉醒，而非简单的政权更迭。

    那么，在当前的专权社会里，人们如何推动这种觉醒？人们如何在黑暗中寻找光明，在沉睡中唤醒自己和身边的人？

一、思想启蒙：点燃被压制的独立思考

    在封闭的环境下，人们很难意识到自己被囚禁，因为囚笼早已内化为思想的边界。哈耶克指出，一个社会如果不培养独立思考，只知道服从政府指令，那这个社会注定走向专权社会、极权。伏尔泰更是直言：“不去思考的人是自由的最大敌人。”

    在专权社会里，许多人不再主动思考社会问题，而是接受现成的结论，或者干脆回避现实，以娱乐麻痹自己。然而，真正的自由，必须从思想的独立开始。

1. 重新学习思考

    许多在专权社会中的人习惯于接受“标准答案”，不习惯分析问题的根源。例如：

• 为什么房价越来越高，而工资涨幅远不及通胀？
• 为什么医疗、教育负担越来越重？而且成了利益集体的韭菜？
• 为什么信息的获取被人违法控制？
• 为什么入了某个政党就不能有其他宗教信仰？而其他政党就可以？
• 为什么我们总是期待“好领导”而不是关注制度是否合理？

    这些问题的答案，并不会在专权社会的宣传里找到，而需要人们自己去阅读、讨论、反思。思想启蒙的第一步，就是学会提问，拒绝只听一个声音。

2. 讨论与传播思想

    哈耶克的自由经济思想，伏尔泰的启蒙精神，奥威尔对极权的批判，这些书籍和理念在国内或许难以直接传播，但可以通过私人读书会、小型讨论组、亲友间的交流，逐步扩散。即使是日常聊天，也可以用一些问题引导对方思考，比如：

• “你觉得政府应该对个人生活管控到什么程度？”
• “你认为言论自由和社会稳定哪个更重要？”
• “你觉得政府的权力该由谁来限制？”

    这些讨论看似微不足道，但它们是一粒粒种子，一旦生根，就可能影响一个人的思想。

3. 拥抱多元信息

    在极权社会，信息的封锁是维持控制的关键。奥威尔在《1984》中描述了“新话”——当人们只能用被限定的词汇表达思想，他们的思维也会受到限制。专权社会的许多语言控制策略正是这种思维方式的延续，比如“敏感词审查”“历史虚无主义”等概念的泛化，使人们在讨论现实问题时失去语言工具。

    真正的启蒙，需要人们突破信息的封锁，阅读不同的观点，比较不同国家的历史和现实，而不是只相信单一的叙事。VP墙网、外文书籍、海外新闻，都是帮助个人打破信息茧房的重要工具。

二、自由的象征：从黑暗到光明的挣扎

    自由不是天赐的，而是在黑暗中寻找光明的过程。哈耶克强调，极权制度不会自动消亡，它依赖于人们的顺从而持续存在。而奥威尔警告，最可怕的不是政府的监视，而是人们主动接受监视，甚至为它辩护。在专权社会里人们居然指望这个监控网络为其找到失踪的儿女，自己不觉得可笑吗？

    在今天的专权社会里，人们对极权的接受，往往不是因为他们喜欢被控制，而是因为他们害怕自由带来的不确定性。许多人宁愿接受“稳定的压迫”，也不愿冒险去争取真正的自由。然而，真正的社会变革，必须来自于个人勇敢地迈出黑暗，追寻光明。

1. 打破对权威的盲目信任

    长期的封建文化、儒家学说和国家主义、爱国主义的宣传，让许多人形成了“国家至上，个人服从”的观念。这种思维模式导致：

• 个人权利被视为次要直至被践踏，国家利益被绝对化。
• 人们害怕独立行动，习惯等待“领导指示”。
• 对政府的错误保持沉默，甚至主动为它辩护。

    然而，真正的自由社会，必须建立在对权力的质疑之上。哈耶克指出，政府的权力必须受到公民的监督，否则它必然扩张，最终吞噬个人自由。每一个人，都有责任思考：“政府的权力应该受到怎样的约束？”如果我们不去监督权力，那最终，我们每个人都会成为权力的奴隶。

2. 从个人觉醒到社会觉醒

    社会的变化，永远不会是自上而下的，而是从个人觉醒开始，逐步扩散。当越来越多的人开始思考、质疑、讨论，整个社会的氛围就会改变。这种变化可能是缓慢的，但一旦开始，就无法逆转。

三、社会变革的隐喻：从沉睡到觉醒

    专权社会变革不是一次性事件，而是一个长期的过程。今天专权社会，仍然处于某种集体沉睡的状态，但并非所有人都毫无意识。越来越多的人开始怀疑现有体系的合理性，越来越多的人开始寻求真正的自由。在专权社会里，人们可以做些什么？

1. 思想启蒙：让自由的种子发芽： 伏尔泰说过，“我不同意你的观点，但我誓死捍卫你说话的权利。”这正是思想自由的精髓。我们需要通过阅读、讨论和反思，推动身边的人重新思考权力、制度和个人自由的关系。即使在高压环境下，也可以通过私人读书会、家庭讨论等方式传播启蒙思想。
2. 培养独立思考：拒绝盲从与妥协： 哈耶克认为，独立思考是自由社会的核心。我们可以通过讨论经济、教育等非政治性话题，引导人们发现问题的根源。例如，为什么年轻人买不起房？为什么医疗负担如此沉重？这些问题背后的制度逻辑是什么？从民生入手，人们更容易接受新的思考方式。
3. 建立小型的公民社会：从社区开始： 社会变革往往从小处着手。可以从非政治性的社区互助、公益活动开始，逐步培养人们的合作意识和责任感。例如，组织帮助困难家庭的活动、举办儿童教育讲座，虽然看似简单，却能增强社会的自主性。
4. 反思语言的力量：拒绝被定义： 奥威尔提醒我们，语言塑造思想。我们需要重新审视那些被滥用的词语，学会用清晰的语言表达自己的观点。在与人交流时，不妨用问题而非结论的方式启发对方，比如“为什么我们总是期待上面解决问题，而不是自己行动？”
5. 教育下一代：从家庭中播种自由的观念： 社会变革需要时间，但改变可以从下一代开始。父母可以通过鼓励孩子阅读、写作和表达自己的意见，让他们从小形成独立思考的习惯。哈耶克强调，自由社会的未来取决于新一代公民的素质。

结语：自由的光明终将照亮黑暗

    哈耶克提醒我们，通往奴役的道路往往是渐进的，而通往自由的道路则需要觉醒的勇气。伏尔泰告诉我们，思想的自由是社会变革的前提。奥威尔警告我们，如果不去反抗思想的控制，我们就会永远活在极权的阴影下。

    那些专权社会未来，不会由某个领导者决定，而是由千千万万逐渐觉醒的个体决定。真正的自由，不是等待被赐予，而是从我们每个人开始。当今社会流行一句话，管好自己的事，不要仰慕谁或看低谁？好似明哲保身的智者，可这不正是既得利益者希望的那样吗？这样的个人状态不是自由该有的样子。

    让我们共同为此祷告，如有问题请联系hu0023@husiradmin

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附哈耶克、伏尔泰和奥威尔这三位思想家关于自由的著作各有其特色与深度，以下是他们相关著作的简要介绍：

哈耶克

• 《通往奴役之路》：此书在哈耶克的学术生涯中占有重要地位，为他赢得了广泛的注意。哈耶克在书中论证道，当时正在计划中的福利国家并非为了个人自由，而是朝着专制方向迈出的一步。他认为追求计划经济，其无意识后果必然是极权主义。为了反对计划经济，哈耶克重申了他一贯坚持的古典自由主义观点。

• 《自由宪章》：全书分为三个部分，深入探讨了自由的本质、价值及其与法律、经济、社会等方面的关系。哈耶克在书中批判了社会主义的计划经济模式，强调了市场机制的重要性，并提出了对社会保障制度、税收政策、货币制度等方面的看法。

• 《法律、立法与自由》：该书是哈耶克历经17年的思考而发表的关于自由主义理论的最后一部系统性的学术著作，集中了哈耶克关于法律与自由、法律与正义等问题的思考。在这部著作中，他经由法律理论的阐发和建构，最终完成了他从社会理论到自由理论再到法律理论这一宏大的自由主义社会哲学体系。

伏尔泰

虽然伏尔泰的著作广泛涉及哲学、政治、文学等领域，但他关于自由的直接论述，尤其在其哲学和政治学专著中有所体现，例如：

• 《哲学通信》：作为伏尔泰在英国的观感和心得的总结，宣扬了英国资产阶级革命的成就，并抨击了法国的专制政体，体现了对自由的向往和追求。

• 《论自由》：虽非伏尔泰的专著，但选自其《哲学辞典》，以叙述描写的对话手法诠释了自由的内涵，即主张人人平等，但自由是有条件的，不能超出法律许可的范围。

奥威尔

• 《1984》：这部经典反乌托邦小说以深刻的政治寓意和对自由价值的坚守，成为了文学史上不可多得的杰作。小说中的主人公生活在一个极权社会中，个人的自由被完全剥夺，思想被严格控制。奥威尔通过主人公的视角，展现了极权统治下人性的扭曲和对权力的盲目追求，以此批判极权主义并表达对自由的珍视。

    综上所述，这三位思想家通过各自的作品，从不同角度对自由进行了深入的思考和阐述，为读者提供了丰富的思想资源和启示。

The Awakening of Free Thought in Pursuit of Freedom: From Hayek, Voltaire to Orwell

To many, the problems of authoritarian societies appear to be merely issues of political leadership—as if simply changing the leader or even the entire system would bring about change. History, however, teaches us that without a fundamental transformation in culture, thought, and institutions, a new authoritarian regime is nothing more than a continuation of the old. True freedom is not granted by one person; it is built upon the awakening of thought and a revolution in social consciousness. In simple terms, the realm you see and pursue is determined by the state of your inner world.

Hayek, in The Road to Serfdom, warned that the formation of totalitarian regimes is not the accidental product of any one party but the result of a society’s longterm acceptance of oppressive rule and the abandonment of individual liberty. Voltaire stressed that freedom of thought is more important than violent revolution because thought directs the course of society. Orwell, in 1984, reveals the deeper workings of totalitarianism—by controlling language and thought, people come to accept their own shackles willingly. Together, these thinkers show that real social transformation begins with the awakening of the individual, not merely through a change in regime.

So, in today’s authoritarian society, how can we promote such an awakening? How can people search for light amid darkness and awaken themselves and those around them?

I. Enlightenment of Thought: Igniting Independent Thinking That Has Been Suppressed

In a closed environment, people rarely realize they are imprisoned because the cage has long been internalized as the boundaries of thought. Hayek points out that if a society does not cultivate independent thinking but only obeys government directives, it is destined to slide into tyranny and totalitarianism. Voltaire stated bluntly that “those who do not think are the greatest enemies of freedom.”

In an authoritarian society, many people no longer actively think about social issues. Instead, they accept the “standard answers” or simply avoid reality altogether, numbing themselves with entertainment. Yet genuine freedom must begin with independent thought.

1. Relearning to Think:

Many people in authoritarian societies become accustomed to accepting “standard answers” and rarely analyze the roots of issues. For example:

• Why do housing prices soar while wages fail to keep pace with inflation?
• Why are healthcare and education costs growing while they become the scapegoats for powerful interests?
• Why is access to information controlled unlawfully?
• Why does joining one political party preclude you from holding another religious belief—while others seemingly have no such restrictions?
• Why do we always expect “good leaders” rather than focusing on whether the system itself is reasonable?

The answers to these questions cannot be found in the propaganda of authoritarian regimes—they require us to read, discuss, and reflect on our own. The first step of intellectual enlightenment is to learn to ask questions and refuse to listen to only one voice.

• Discussing and Disseminating Ideas:

Hayek’s ideas on freemarket economics, Voltaire’s spirit of enlightenment, and Orwell’s critique of totalitarianism may be difficult to circulate directly in our country. However, they can be spread gradually through private reading groups, small discussion circles, and conversations among friends and family. Even in ordinary conversations, one might guide others to think by asking questions such as:

• “To what extent should the government control personal life?”
• “Which is more important: freedom of speech or social stability?”
• “Who should have the power to limit government authority?”
• Though these discussions may appear insignificant, each is a seed that, once planted and nurtured, can influence a person’s thinking.
• Embracing Diverse Information:

In authoritarian societies, information blockage is key to maintaining control. Orwell’s 1984 introduces “Newspeak” to illustrate that when people have only a restricted vocabulary, their ability to think critically is stifled. Many of the language control strategies in authoritarian regimes continue this trend, such as “sensitive word censorship” and the generalization of “historical nihilism,” which deprive people of the language needed to discuss reality in depth. True enlightenment requires breaking through this information blockade, reading multiple perspectives, comparing histories and realities of various nations, rather than accepting a single narrative. Websites with foreign language content, translated books, and international news are all important tools for breaking out of one’s informational cocoon.

II. The Symbolism of Freedom: The Struggle from Darkness to Light

Freedom is not given from above; it is pursued by seeking the light in darkness. Hayek emphasized that totalitarian regimes will not vanish on their own—they persist because people comply with them. Orwell warned that the most frightening aspect is not the government’s surveillance but that people willingly accept it, even defending it. In authoritarian societies, some even expect the surveillance network to help locate their missing loved ones—doesn’t that sound absurd?

In today’s authoritarian society, people accept totalitarian control not because they enjoy being controlled, but because they fear the uncertainty that true freedom brings. Many would rather accept “stable oppression” than risk challenging it. However, genuine social transformation must come from individuals bravely stepping out of the darkness to pursue the light.

1. Breaking the Blind Trust in Authority:

Longstanding cultural traditions, Confucian teachings, nationalism, and patriotic propaganda have instilled in many the idea that “the state is supreme and the individual must obey.” This mindset leads to:

• Individual rights being considered secondary until trampled upon, while state interests are absolute.
• People being too afraid to act independently and thus waiting for “leadership instructions.”
• A tendency to keep silent about government mistakes, sometimes even defending them.

Yet, a truly free society must be built on questioning authority. Hayek argued that governmental power must be supervised by its citizens; otherwise, it will inevitably expand and eventually devour individual freedom. Each of us has a duty to ask, “To what limits should governmental power be constrained?” If we fail to supervise power, ultimately we will all become slaves to it.

• From Personal Awakening to Social Awakening:

Social change is never topdown but begins with individual awakening that gradually spreads. As more people begin to think, question, and discuss, the collective atmosphere shifts. This change may be slow, but once it starts, it is irreversible.

III. A Metaphor for Social Transformation: Awakening from Slumber

The transformation of an authoritarian society is not a onetime event but a longterm process. Today, our authoritarian society remains in a kind of collective slumber; yet not everyone is completely unconscious. Increasing numbers of people begin to question the legitimacy of the current system and seek true freedom. In an authoritarian society, what can people do?

1. Intellectual Enlightenment: As Voltaire said, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” This encapsulates the essence of intellectual freedom. We need to foster the reawakening of thought through reading, discussion, and reflection, encouraging those around us to reconsider the relationship between power, institutional structures, and individual freedom. Even under immense pressure, private reading circles and family discussions can help spread the seeds of enlightenment.
2. Cultivating Independent Thought: According to Hayek, independent thought is the core of a free society. By engaging in discussions on topics like economics and education—nonpolitical topics—we can help people uncover the root causes of issues. For example, one might ask: “Why can’t young people afford housing?” or “Why is healthcare so burdensome?” Such issues, approached from the perspective of people’s livelihoods, make it easier for the public to accept new ways of thinking.
3. Establishing Small Civic Societies: Starting at the Community Level: Social transformation often starts small. Initiatives such as community mutual help projects and public welfare activities can gradually cultivate a sense of cooperation and responsibility among people. For example, organizing activities to help underprivileged families or hosting educational lectures for children may seem simple, but they build the collective capacity for change.
4. Reflecting on the Power of Language: Refuse to Be Defined by Others: Orwell reminded us that language shapes thought. We need to re-examine those words that have been abused and learn to express our thoughts clearly. When talking with others, consider asking questions instead of presenting conclusions—this can help stimulate others to think for themselves.
5. Educating the Next Generation: Planting Seeds of Freedom in the Home: Social transformation takes time, but change can begin with the next generation. Parents can encourage their children to read, write, and express their opinions from an early age, fostering habits of independent thought. Hayek emphasized that the future of a free society depends on the quality of its nextgeneration citizens.

Conclusion: The Light of Freedom Will Eventually Illuminate the Darkness

Hayek reminds us that the road to serfdom is gradual, while the road to freedom requires the courage to awaken. Voltaire teaches that freedom of thought is the precondition for social transformation. Orwell warns that if we do not resist the control of thought, we will remain forever in the shadow of totalitarianism.

The future of authoritarian societies will not be determined by a single leader but by the millions of individuals who gradually awaken. True freedom is not something that is given to us—it begins with each one of us. In our modern society, a popular saying is: “Take care of your own business; do not idolize or look down on others.” It may seem like the wisdom of a pragmatist, but isn’t this exactly what those who benefit from the status quo desire? Such a state of being is hardly what freedom should look like.

Let us join together in prayer.

Appendix: Brief Introductions to the Works on Freedom by Hayek, Voltaire, and Orwell

Hayek

• The Road to Serfdom: In this influential work, Hayek argued that the planned welfare state was not for the sake of individual freedom but a step toward authoritarianism. His ideas reiterate his commitment to classical liberalism as a counter to planned economies.
• The Constitution of Liberty: Divided into three parts, this book delves deeply into the nature, value, and interrelation of freedom with law, economics, and society. Hayek criticizes the socialist planning model and emphasizes the importance of market mechanisms, offering insights on social security, taxation, and monetary policies.
• Law, Legislation and Liberty: After 17 years of thought, this is Hayek’s final systematic work on liberal theory, synthesizing his reflections on law and freedom, and constructing his grand philosophy of a liberal society.

Voltaire

Although Voltaire’s works span many fields including philosophy, politics, and literature, his direct discussions on freedom—especially in his philosophical and political writings—are wellknown. For example:

• Letters on England (also known as Philosophical Letters): In this work, Voltaire summarizes his observations and insights from his time in England, praising the achievements of the English bourgeois revolution and criticizing the despotic regime in France, reflecting a deep longing for freedom.
• On Freedom (selections from his writings in his Philosophical Dictionary): Although not a standalone work, these excerpts elucidate his ideas on freedom, advocating that while all are equal, freedom has its conditions and cannot exceed the limits set by law.

Orwell

• 1984: This classic dystopian novel, with its profound political allegory and steadfast defense of freedom, remains a unique literary masterpiece. The novel portrays a society in which individual freedom is utterly stripped away and thought is strictly controlled. Orwell, through the eyes of his protagonist, illustrates the perversion of human nature under totalitarian rule and the blind pursuit of power, offering a stark critique of totalitarianism and expressing a deep reverence for true freedom.

In summary, these three thinkers offer rich and varied perspectives on freedom through their respective works. Their writings provide profound intellectual resources and insights for readers seeking to understand the essence of freedom.