Another Take on Freedom of Choice...

Sometimes the mental landscape is not as clear as we would like it to be. There is a glut of information, everyone doing their best to put forth their own take on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. When it comes to the final, definition moment in a decision process, all this superfluous information overkill takes a back seat, without being totally ignored, to one’s own ideas and needs.  Or, it should. Maybe…

Two entries ago, the concept of choice was brought to the fore. Personally, I am a strong believer in the philosophical reach of this concept for it should be a definite part of what forms the base structure for individual freedom. Just knowing enough to accept the conceptual limitations that accompany the concept, goes a long way towards achieving an understanding of the reach and importance it has. A dear friend wrote and asked whether I believed if the concept of “freedom of choice” really exists today.

You must Think...

Do we really have the ability to exercise that elusive, philosophical “free choice”? The honest answer, within the parameters of any structured society is no, we do not.  Think; if each one of us were to make choices which disregard those others with whom we interact daily, we would find ourselves being very quickly ostracized. Any and all decisions made will, without exceptions, touch the life of someone else. Sometimes (more often than not, actually) the decision maker will not even be aware of this “ripple” effect.  So, let’s put that question at the beginning of the paragraph a bit differently: Do we really have the ability to make choices in our daily lives?” Yes, we do. But these choices are indeed restricted by boundaries which are preset and very difficult to ignore or bypass.

We have to understand and accept that unless we are true hermits living far away from any other living humans, those boundaries do exist; they shape our choices, especially those which lead us into interaction with others. Most basic decisions are put on automatic pilot for, if we had to consider the minutiae of every minor decision made, we would probably go nuts. Much like breathing. There are uncounted muscles, nerves and reflexes which are involved in the “simple” act of continuous breathing. If we had to consciously control this very basic life process, most likely we would all be dead within minutes of assuming such responsibility.

Neither High nor Low...
Just Different roads

What can I choose to do, or not to do? If I belong to an organized religion, there is a constant reminder as to the answer to that question. My take on freedom of thought, mores and the curiosity factor which is ever present in my life, may well be very different (and usually is) than that of any given religious leader. I may hear what is said at a service, but my mind then “chooses” to analyze the content of the message. Often I find it to be totally man(woman)handled by the preacher’s own personal prejudices and goals. I then become an outsider to that group because I have chosen to question the message context as well as the messenger.

Do we have freedom of choice at work?  What is the first thing one is given on being accepted into the ranks of any corporation? We are gifted with a pamphlet which outlines what can and cannot be done at work and, often, even behavior outside the company’s walls. I ought to know; a couple of well paid positions went by the wayside because I tried to exercise a thinking choice which wasn’t totally in agreement with the established rules … even though the eventual results were positive in both instances. The reality was they could not allow such a precedent to be established… Good Lord…. Someone who thinks.  What a potentially dangerous situation!!!  Yet, I would do it again, given the same circumstances.

Never Ends...

In day to day living, whether alone or within a family unit… do we really have “freedom of choice”? Think about this before you answer. Our home should be the ultimate bastion of independence, right? Think again… By definition, a family “unit” is comprised of at least one additional person, and often more than just one. Choices made by any member will, inevitably, have a repercussion on the other(s).  In the end, if enough choices which have negative results (as seen by the other part) are made, the relationship will come to an end. Why? Because one or the other, or both, insisted on exercising the concept of free will and choice, as understood individually.  If, on the other hand we live on as a lone individual, then our day to day decisions are influenced by the overall social world in which we live.

So, what choices do we have?  In the end, we still have the ability to make a good number of them. Most will be on a “negotiated” basis, having taken into consideration the potential impact and results on someone else. If after a negotiation or an honest analysis a potentially impacting choice is still made, then I am doing so knowing it may result in a negative situation.  And I must be ready for it.

After all is said and done, we do have the possibility of making decisions on a daily basis; often, however, these are not thought through. No, each one cannot be thought out, there would not be enough time in a day to even consider this but there are a number of potentially far reaching choices and decisions made daily, which should be honestly analyzed prior to being made. Then you do have the choice of making these decisions, or not.

Just Be aware of Consequences...

Are we free by living in a “free” society?  Yes, we are… to a point. The fact we choose to live in what we consider a free society, demands that we know and understand where freedom ends and encroachment begins; that there are limits to this exercised freedom and that we, as individuals, must accept these limits in order to share in the overall perceived benefits of living in such a society.  And yes, that includes the freedom of making choices.

I’m getting confused already…

Be Well… Be Back!! (You have no choice here, understand?)