Constraints of Decisions on Free Will

Active Listening Series #10

We are taught to believe that we are free to live our lives.

‘But are we free to choose what we want in our lives?’ I asked Jamie one day.

He looked at me and replied, ‘Of course! I am free to do anything.’

So, I proposed that we do an experiment to see if we are really that free.

‘Sure!’ he replied.

‘Which fruit do you like the most?’ I asked casually.

His reply was mango.

‘Let me rephrase my question again. Which is your favorite fruit - mango or grapes?’ I asked again.

‘Mango’, he answered.

‘You choose mango because……’, I paused to let Jaime finish the sentence.

He came back with, ‘I choose mango because it is delicious.'

‘I do not think you are choosing’, I replied.

Jaime looked puzzled.

Choices Are Not Decisions

‘Do you like me define for you the difference between ‘making choices’ and ‘making decisions?’’ I asked, trying to look helpful.

Jaime nodded, and I continued.

When we make a decision, we identify all the available options, we weigh them for their potential pros and cons, evaluate them for their probable implications, examine them for their likely consequences, and finally, we will pick the option that gives us the best value and comes with the least troubles.

In making a choice, we look at all the options and we pick one.

‘Let's continue with our little experiment. Mango or grapes? Choose!’ I asked Jaime again.

‘Mango!’ He replied, and I followed for the reasons of his selection, and they are nutritional values and delightful taste.

‘I am afraid that you are still making a decision and not a choice’, I concluded.

Decisions and Zero Chance Lives

Jaime looked quizzingly at me and demanded an explanation. I decided to share with him the relationship between free will and ‘zero chance’ lives.

I have shared that a decision is made after we have considered the options while choice is just about picking an option without considering.

In the space of making choices, there is no room for reasons, justifications, or becauses. So, when we pick 'Mango', there are no 'becauses' for wanting it. We just choose it, and that is it. This is the characteristic of free will.

However, when we are considering something, we become the subjects of its encumbrances, and are less likely to take chances. Towards this end, we play no games with our future, and end up leading zero chance lives.

Deeper Understanding of Free Will

'I understand you now. I choose Mango and that is it!' Jaime confidently proclaimed.

'Good! Now, try this. Grapes, choose?' I shot back immediately.

Jaime gave me an hard look, and protested, 'But grapes are not my favorite fruit! How am I going to choose?'

'Why not?' and I reminded Jaime, 'What does making choices really mean to you again?'

Jaime replied, 'It is when there are no reasons. I have chosen what I had chosen'.

'I can see that you have gotten it. Let's apply it! Grapes, choose!' I repeated.

Jaime paused for a moment and shouted, 'I got it! I got it now!' and I can see the ‘Eureka’ moment hanging on his face.

'So tell me more', I followed on the moment.

'I really have never given grapes a chance', he concluded.

I asked, 'How is this so?'

'I have never chosen grapes because of all the 'becauses', and in doing so, I have actually never given the fruit a chance', was Jaime's response.

'Not only have you not given grape a chance, what else have you not given a chance as well?' I continued to coach.

Jaime had taken another long pause and replied, 'myself', and he gave me a look, and continued, 'since I have not given grapes a chance in my life, I have no chance of finding out how enjoyable grapes could have been', he went on, 'Actually, I have not given my life a chance, and basically leading a 'zero chance' life! Gosh! This is terrible!' he concluded.

I encouraged, 'All is not lost. Now that you have become aware, what can you do about it?'

'I will give grapes a chance!' Jaime said.

'How about the other parts of your life? How would this insight change you?' I queried.

'I guess I need not have to give myself reasons for denying me from freely enjoying the world around me', he concluded.

And I nodded in totally agreement.

This article was 1st written on 19 Dec 2012.
Copyright 2012. Anthony Mok. All Rights Reserved.