The notion of complete free will is a comforting illusion. In reality, our lives are influenced by factors outside of our control, which shape our journey before we even realize it. These fixed variables predetermine our path, limiting our choices without us even noticing. We're in a movie where we play actors following a script we didn't write.
This concept aligns with philosophical ideas like determinism. Philosophers have long debated whether our actions are truly free or the inevitable result of prior causes.
However, life isn't entirely predetermined. Each day offers moments of genuine choice - dynamic variables that arise randomly at certain points in your day. These are spontaneous opportunities to break free from our usual patterns. The catch is that these choices often feel deeply uncomfortable.
This discomfort is a key philosophical point. Existentialist thinkers like Jean-Paul Sartre argued that the anxiety we feel when faced with true freedom is fundamental to the human condition. We instinctively recognize these moments of real choice. They can make us feel strange, almost out-of-body, as if a part of us wants to escape this unfamiliar territory of true free will.
Our ingrained habits and fears - products of said fixed variables - often hold us back from embracing these dynamic variables. We create mental barriers that keep us within familiar boundaries.
Yet, this very discomfort is a signal. It tells us we're at a crossroads where we can truly shape our fate. This relates to the philosophical concept of authenticity - living according to one's true self rather than societal expectations. By recognizing and embracing these uncomfortable moments of choice, we can break free from our predetermined script. It's a chance to exercise genuine free will and live authentically.
The challenge, then, is to "make and bake the uncomfortable choice," as my friend DJ Mack calls it, or simply take the risk. Step outside the boundaries set by our past and truly author our own lives. This is the essence of existential freedom - not just the absence of external constraints, but the courage to define ourselves through our choices.
By embracing discomfort, we unlock the path to authentic free will and take control of our own destiny.
thanks for reading and godspeed