Man can do what he wills but he cannot will what he wills.” ~ Arthur Schopenhauer
We humans pride ourselves on our ability to exercise free will—the belief that we are totally free to choose our actions.
It’s the basis of all Moral ethics and theology. It’s the quality that we use to distinguish ourselves from the animals which are driven by instinct.
Having just celebrated the 4th of July in the United States, I’m keenly aware of the extraordinary value we give to the idea of freedom. We’re free to not just choose our actions as individuals, but to choose our destiny collectively.
But not everyone’s convinced that we humans are any better than the animals and the debate of free will v.s. determinism rages on. Are we totally free to choose to act contrary to our more primitive instincts? Or are we a slave to our instincts?
I won’t attempt to expound on the arguments of foundational thinkers on the subject such as Lucretius, Augustine, and Spinoza. I would just invite you to ponder the question as it applies to your life.
When I honestly examine my own life, I find evidence for both principles. But if I were really honest, I’d say that my actions tilt more toward instinct.
Think about how marketers come up with ingenious ways of using human psychology to compel us to buy.
Think about the millions who suffer from addictions of every kind, how each of those addictions may or may not have started with a choice.
Think about the people in your life who know what buttons to push to elicit responses of their choosing.
When I think of these, I think of St. Paul’s admission:
“We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” (Rom 7:14-15)
If I were honest, I’d say that some days I feel like I’m at the mercy of my instincts. It’s not pleasant to think about and even less pleasant to admit, but it’s true.
On days like these, days when I feel like all of my free will has been wrung out of me, I remember my fundamental choice to pray:
“Dear God, I am not strong enough. Strengthen me to do that which I want to do, but am unable to do.”
Because the ultimate path to freedom is surrender.
Hi Cylon,
Thank you for this.
Yes, the answer may well turn out to be an obvious one – sincerely asking for appropriate help!
The terrible thing with ‘drives’ is the tunnel vision and compulsion – they drag us downward.
Asking for help immediately widens our vision and we can see community – taking us at least one step away from the source of our pain.
Thanks for a good topic and solution.
Yes so true…I especially appreciate your reference to community and its importance in helping us gain strength.
Thank you for this post. I especially love the last statement – profoundly true! Your post caused me to smile because it brought back memories of the presentation I wrote, and gave last summer, regarding the concept of Ideal. I did cite our ability over animals, to make choices, rather than live by instinct. This September, I’ll be giving another presentation on “Action.” In this one, I also cite our will… our choice to make decisions and take actions. Since I only have 25-30 max, to make this presentation, and it’s already at 26 minutes! I’m not going to allow myself to think about incorporating ANY thoughts your post has prompted in me!
Haha…You might not be able to help it! I’m glad it inspired you and I hope the presentation goes well!