We seem to go through various physical and psychological stages, which occurs at a similar ages for everybody. Plus all the illusions, self/deception and distorted pictures of reality which we create throughout our lives, created out fear, insecurity, weakness, whatever it may be. Our sub-conscious plays a big role in our lives, so being aware of this and coming to the root of fears etc. would earn us some more freedom, free will???
2007-03-07 01:42:35 · 4 answers · asked by Lorenzo de' Medici 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Oliver T, it sounds like you read Krishnamurti
2007-03-07 09:35:26 · update #1
There is 'will', but no such thing as 'free will'. The two terms are mutually contradictory. 'Will' inplies a motive, for you do not act without a will and it is always with something in mind, i.e. it is attached to it's focus. By this very token it cannot be free. Freedom and attachment are two different things. So you see, the notion of free will, much like every other stupid belief has no substance in actuality.
I also think your question is wrongly worded, because who is it that you expect to understand the mind? This is also the mind, isn't it? The 'you' IS your mind! So when you say 'I' understand about fear or greed or whatever it is, you can rest assured that you understand nothing, because the thing that claims it understands is also the thing that is fearful! The nature of the mind is to be fragmentary. That's why you have people making resolutions to go on a diet one day and then heading straight for the fridge! One 'you' wants to lose weight and another 'you' wants the ice cream. Scientists have never found a control centre in the brain and I honestly don't think it exists. 'You' change from one second to the next and so there is nothing more to understand than that.
Addendum for Zaphod:
You said:
"the more you know about something (in your case onesself) the more you can controll it and use it to do what you want."
That's the point I made about it being an illusion. Who is controlling what and who is the you that is hoping to make 'it' do what 'you' want? All of this is a game, as the aspiring controller and the thing to be controlled are the same thing! There is no difference between the thinker and the thought - they are not separate entities. When we say we are trying to will something or to control it, psychologically speaking, we are talking about one thought trying to become dominant over another, as per my would be dieter in the example above. This is a situation in which we are all caught, except most don't even realise the absurdity of it. Highly willed people are nothing more that folk with neuroses!
2007-03-07 01:51:31 · answer #1 · answered by Oliver T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The term you use as "Free will" needs to be defined. In classical theology and philosophy "will" is a singular individuals will or desires and the "free", whether or not it can choose its course, or whether it is controlled by a higher power or nature or Pavlov, is debated.
Your use of free will seems to be more of a freedom due to knowledge. i.e. the more you know about something (in your case onesself) the more you can controll it and use it to do what you want.
2007-03-07 10:09:03 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think we always have free will. There are certain things in our lives that will happen regardless of what we do, but it is still our will and decision (conscious or not) how to react to what does happen.
2007-03-07 09:47:43 · answer #3 · answered by Trish 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
we are either slaves to our fears or masters of our desires.
Either way, neither is free.
2007-03-07 10:16:45 · answer #4 · answered by Real Friend 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋