"Man can do what he wills but he cannot will what he wills."
Schopenhauer
" I do not believe in freedom of will. Schopenhauer's words, "Man can indeed do what he wants, but he cannot want what he wants", accompany me in all life situations and console me in my dealings with people, even those that are really painful to me. This recognition of the unfreedom of the will protects me from taking myself and my fellow men too seriously as acting and judging individuals and losing good humour. "
Einstein
2007-02-11 08:07:04 · 8 answers · asked by skeptic 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Schopenhauer
2007-02-11 08:16:29 · update #1
That's deep.
2007-02-11 08:10:23 · answer #1 · answered by Jay 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very philisophical, and I'm just taking a shot in the dark here. I think that it means that no matter what you believe, at least some part of society will torment and taunt you because they believe in something different. So no matter how strongly you believe in something, you may question it yourself because of what others have told you. I think it's just the way the human race is, that if someone's not just like you, some people don't take it very well and try to change that person.
2007-02-11 16:10:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Two brilliant minds. What can I say? The quotes are undeniable truth.
2007-02-11 16:11:53 · answer #3 · answered by Zeek 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, totally logical.
I can get up now and pour myself another whisky (and probably will), but I can't will the bottle to come to me.
2007-02-11 16:11:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am happy that I can ignore it. It raises so many quetions in my mind that it is not worth it to consider it.
Peace & Love
2007-02-11 16:11:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't believe Einstein said that. Can you reference where you found that quote?
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Very strange thing to say. I don't understand it.
2007-02-11 16:14:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Certainly a man can do what he wills, but he can't will what he wants.... - me
2007-02-11 16:10:45 · answer #7 · answered by daisyduke_205 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its about determinism...
2007-02-11 16:19:03 · answer #8 · answered by fourmorebeers 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋