Final answer:
Trevor Noah's 'Born a Crime' highlights the relationship between knowledge and freedom through real-life experiences and challenges the concept of Hard Determinism by showing the power of education to expand perspectives and choices. Instances from the book, allegorical comparisons, and modern examples like Miranda Rights all demonstrate that knowledge can be a key to unlocking freedom.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Trevor Noah's autobiography Born a Crime, instances where knowledge is related to freedom are highlighted through the narrative of his experiences growing up in apartheid South Africa. The book demonstrates how knowledge can empower individuals to break free from the chains of societal and systemic oppression. Hard Determinism suggests that freedom is an illusion and people are conditioned to follow certain paths, yet the narrative in Born a Crime shows how gaining knowledge can lead to personal liberation and the ability to make choices. For example, Noah's own mother provided him with a broader education and exposure to different worldviews, which allowed him to see beyond the restrictive narrative of apartheid and ultimately strive for a life that broke the barriers imposed by his birth. Similarly, instances such as the ability of DNA testing to determine innocence in criminal cases point to how knowledge can grant freedom and save lives.
Additionally, the allegory of the child born into a supremacist commune is similar to Plato's Allegory of the Cave and shows how acquiring knowledge and experiencing the broader world can free one from indoctrinating beliefs. Learning the truths of the outside world enables individuals to challenge and potentially change the misguided beliefs within their communities. Another important aspect is the moral examination of freedom of speech, particularly on the internet, which underscores the importance of thought and speech as critical to the moral and free lives of individuals.
Furthermore, the perception of crime influenced by media can impact personal freedom by instilling fear, demonstrating that knowledge—accurate or otherwise—has a direct impact on the sense of freedom and security. Lastly, the concept of Miranda Rights, which must be read to suspects as a safeguard of their freedom, underscores the link between knowledge of one's rights and the ability to exercise freedom.