Posted by
Robert Morris on Tuesday, November 14, 2006 6:34:15 PM
I think all people desire the ability to have basic control of their own lives. I would argue that the ability to act for ourselves is what makes us intelligient beings.
The topics of choice and freedom are obviously linked. Unfortunately, not all of us agree on what freedom really is and where choice does or should have its limits.
Most people agree that people should be basically free to do as they please as long as it doesn't do harm. After this point, however, all idealist notions run into trouble.
Exploring all examples of this issue is impossible, but just to get the blog going, here's some food for thought.
Which of the following approaches gives a person more choice?
1) Telling them they need to be true to themselves by doing what they feel.
2) Telling them that what they feel doesn't have to rule them.
If you are guessing that I am commenting on homosexuality, you are both right and wrong. I am making not judgement on good or evil here. I am simply suggesting encouraging a person that they always have a choice in how they act and the life they live, is surely better than ever trying to convince them that it's best just to accept that they must act on what they feel. The latter option can only lead to feeling trapped. The latter option can only lead to bondage.