What is "choice"?

Question

Yes, I literally mean the concept of "choice".

No, I'm not looking for a dictionary definition.

What is "choice"? Are we ever without "choice" or do we always have "choice"? If facing a viable alternative and a nonviable alternative, is there "choice" involved?

And yes, that last question is intentionally left vague.

Answer 1

There is such an illusion as choice. A fantastic illusion if you ask me and I call that illusion that contains the illusion of choice, sin...or Life, from One God.

Answer 2

The most important thing to remember about choice- the thing that is often overlooked- is that like so many other things in the world, choice is not absolute.
There are many situations that do not allow any choice at all. There are some situations that only allow a very limited range of choices. There are times when the choices seem wide-open and the possibilities seem endless and it is those moments when you had better be grateful for your good luck. A greater number of choices is the hallmark of success. A poor person has fewer choices about where to live, what to eat, how to survive. If you look at your life and you see choices you can make, consider yourself lucky.
No, we do not always have a choice, but also, for most of us, there are very few times when we have no choice at all. We all have to die some time and we generally would choose to live instead, but when the time comes to die, perhaps we will have chosen to get very, very old first and to be surrounded by people we love.
I didn't define choice, so I didn't give a best answer, but I said what I wanted to say.

Answer 3

There is no such thing as Hobson's Choice, which basically means only one alternative exists to be picked, so no choice exists since you have to take this one. The decision may not come down to good or bad, bad or worse, good or better. It may come down to taking action or taking no action. Taking no action can actually be considered taking action, since doing nothing is the action you are taking. There is always choice involved, always a decision to be made and a decision made. As long as you possess the capacity to make a decision, then choice exists for you personally.

Answer 4

There is no governor anywhere.

There is always a choice. There is a number of possibilities in anything, only limited by the scope of the imagination.

Sometimes, there seems to be a limited, or no choice, but this is the illusion. The only rules, are those we create for ourselves, the only limits are those we make for ourselves. To think outside the box, is to realize, that we made the box ourselves.

Pull the wool over you own eyes.

Answer 5

Choice is the ability to isolate and follow a concept which has an alternative outcome different from previous concepts chosen from.

Answer 6

Choice definitely exists. I enjoy both vanilla and chocolate ice cream equally. When given the choice between the two, I make a decision. Based on what criteria?

The criterion of desire at the time.
The criterion of mood at the time.
The criterion of availability at the time.
The criterion of whim at the time.

I'm sure there are other criteria, but cannot think of them at the time.

But, yes. Choice definitely exists. I chose vanilla because I chose vanilla.

Answer 7

God gave us all free will. Some use the expression Choice when referring to Abortion issue. That a women has a right to choose to have a baby or not. However, I feel the choice part should be wether to use contraception or not.
If your sexually active and don't want a baby, take a pill!
That should be the only choice.

Answer 8

Choice is the path you take in life. You are never without it even though you may feel oppressed and unable to make it and in every situation there is a choice....It's luck , good or bad that does not exist! Oh and Brooke...not all religions believe in hell...ask one of your jewish friends.....or muslim.

Answer 9

If the choice is to die by fire or by jumping out of the burning building, there is no choice but to die.

If, however, your choice is between dying painfully or not, then that's your choice.

So, yes, we do have choice though they may be choices we don't necessarily want.

Answer 10

We have choices everyday in everything we do. Think of it, even the little things. What is important about this is the choice you make. God bless you, Mike