Independent, an adjective form of independence, can be used
to describe a lot things like people, nation. In my opinion, independence can
be interpreted differently when combine with different kinds of nouns.
Different
from what it means in Declaration of Independence, the same word, independence,
when used to describe animals, means that young animals are capable of living
on their own without any support from their parents. For instance, after a baby tigher is born, it needs to depend on its parents to survive, because the baby tiger
is too young to hunt for food. Later on, as the tiger gradually grows up, it
learns how to hunt food and how to survive in the nature. Finally, it becomes a
adult tiger and no longer needs its parent`s feed any more. I would like to
view such process as independence. This kind of independence is more like a physical
one, which means that the young has the ability to satisfy itself physically
without any help from others.
The
same as animal, human also have the same process of gaining physical
independence. Besides, since human is an intellectual animal, mental
independence of people is unique and more complicated. First, it is the mental thought
that controls the physical behavior. Therefore, the meaning of mental
independence is that try to live independently. For example, I am now living
myself in U.S. apart from my parents. This is not only because that I can take
care of myself, but also because I am mature enough and I try to live an
independent life. I am physically independent so I can take good care of
myself. I decided to leave my parents because I am well mentally prepared to
live an independent life. Second, mental independence of a man can also be
described as to have one`s unique opinions towards things. In the article “Critical
Thinking and the Problem of Plagiarism” (R.Saalbach), which was delivered last
time at the end of class, the author says that some students who are too young
to have their own object thoughts always use others` opinion unconsciously. In
this case, the students lack of mental independence due to their failing to recognize
both the advantages and disadvantages of things. In short, individual and
critical thinking can be one of the features of achieving mental independent.
Independence of nation is somewhat different from what are
mentioned before. When using independence of nation, the word is used to modify
a big group of people, a big community, rather than individuals. Thus, the
meaning of independence, to me, in this case, is of great difference. To some
degree, what this word means is in a higher level than the other meanings.
Independence of a nation means all the citizens in the nation have rights to
live their own lives without ruled by the emperor or other government. That is,
people choose the representatives they are consent with to govern the nation
for them. Just like what was stated in the “Declaration of Independence”: “…all
men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain
unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and pursuit of Happiness”.
It is more likely the independence here means gaining all kinds of humanity
rights like rights of living, rights of freedom and rights of pursuing
happiness, and no longer needs other emperor to give them such rights.
In
conclusion, to me, the word “independence” has various meanings towards various
kinds of things. Nevertheless, these interpretations of “independence” have something
in common. The common meaning of independence is being capable to behave and
think without depending on others.
