The Illusion of Choice

[xiin]

If I were to give you the choice, between having a slice of delicious cake, and being punched in the stomach, what would you chose? For most of us, the choice of the cake is pretty obvious. After all, not only do you avoid the pain, you get to do something pleasant (assuming you like to eat cake). It's a pretty straightforward question, yet, I

Comments

[pezchic]

Your situation which you are pondering is a choice between good and not good. And you do not allow other circumstances that would affect the outcome. Because people choose to do things bad for them every day. Millions upon millions of people do something that is bad and they know it. Of couse there are other reasons and events that lead them to that decision, but they still choose to do the bad thing. Maybe their pain would help someone else, maybe they like the pain, maybe after the pain there is some sort of pleasure, etc, etc. Your argument seems to be based on the ultimate choice of good or bad. and why would someone choose to be bad or have pain?

and i understand how you can think that because of all these outside forces working on each and every one of us that there might seem like there is no choice. but again people choose to do things they dont want to do all the time. And in those choices, i'm sure they wanted to do the opposite. to choose the pleasure. But in my world view and mindset, they still have the choice. They could either take the pleasure and fuck everyone else, or they can do the "right" and "noble" thing and take the pain so others do not have to. But i do not believe that the outcome of these choices are always predictable. Otherwise we would know a lot more about what is going to happen in the world. Yes, some situations are very predictable. but even the knowledge that someone is predictable can help them decide to change their mind and become unpredictable.
I the case that is a situation really truly is just a good thing vs a bad, with no external forces working in their life, i can see how no choice looks favorable. But how often does things like that occur in our lives? even if at all? is it worth it to even consider those kind of issues when the situation isnt even realistic?
As for Hilary, she is in the pocket of many people, as is all the other hopefuls. If she acts like how they would want her to? probably. but we dont know. Maybe she will surprise us and be unpredictable.

bottom line, i agree to a point, but to actually rely on people being predictable and not having a choice in their lives (which i dont agree with anyway) may not be to logical of a action. Plus you get into the whole, if i didnt have a choice, im not held responsible boat, which is a slippery slope to tread.

ok, i said my opinion. happy now? ;)