Musings in Writings

There are 2 ways of viewing Freedom of Choice.

1st way is a person's freedom of choice is the central focus. He believes he can choose whatever he wants, even if he chooses to make the wrong choice. He can choose what he wants to believe for whatever reasons he wants. In this way, the person's fredom of choice determines what he believes as his reason and will.

2nd way is more profound. A person uses reason and will which eventually lead him to be Free. He makes choice of acts, depending on what reason tells him.

1st way, seems to be more free. Cos he can do whatever he wants as long as it's his freedom. But it is usually bounded by the freedom of another person. Thus the famous quote "Your Freedom Ends where someone's freedom starts". He can be free as long as it doesn't affect his neighbour. But then, it sounds like the other person's freedom limits his freedom.

An e.g. of 1st way of belief : The Perpetual Latecomer thinks , "I am late for lesson. So? It is my right of freedom! I don't affect others."

For a person who choose religion ... "I believe in this religion rather than others, cos it is more suited for me." The person who follows this philosophy tends to let his human desires lead him.

For the 2nd way, reason comes first. Thus the Perpetual Latecomer who wants to be late, thinks "being late is wrong." So he tries not to be late. When he overcomes it, he is actually free from his enslavement to his lateness. It is a freedom too.

And the person will choose religion, he doesn't choose what he likes, but by what is most reasonable to him. He follows the religion that he believes is most true to him, regardless of whether it is suitable for him, or his feelings/favor for it.

The person who follows the 2nd way of philosophy tries

to conquer his human enslavements to human weaknesses, by following reason and will. His reliance on knowledge and reason empowers him to know what is best for him (and the community), and this frees him.

For e.g. a drug addict believes it is his right to take drugs. But this is a limiting freedom, because eventually he is enslaved to his habit which prevents him from having more freedom to do what he wants if he hadn't been a drug addict.

I find that my husband's philosophy is essentially the 2nd way. I am much influenced by him thus I also believe in the 2nd way, though occasionally, I can be enslaved to my personal desires (but I try not to affect other people).