“He alone is free who lives with free consent under the entire guidance of reason.”

"Guidance of reason." Reason, NOT emotion.

The only problem is training people to develop a reasoning ability.

I think the fellow must have lived on a pleasant planet, which one I cannot say.

If only! ;-)

Reasoning alone will get you socialism or, . . . Spiritualism and a hard measuring of historical events are also guides to freedom. Reasoning is the final tool used after all else is brought in to play.

Mike, I do not think spirituality is possible without sound reasoning. The reasoning mind does not ignore the fact that there is much it does not know. The reasoning mind is naturally inquisitive. Arrogance and ignorance are the traits of those conditioned by custom and intimidation -- and the political fruits of such mindsets are various forms of collectivism at different stages of totalitarianism. As John Adams said, the revolution was in the hearts and minds of the People first. Reason, for me, is simply the ability to discern even when the evidence challenges long held beliefs and tradition. It is the willingness to know the truth, whatever it may be. I can attest from my own reasonable experience that the truth does indeed set one free. ;-)