Science Of Freedom Workbook
Text: "The Philosophy of Freedom" by Rudolf Steiner
Topic 1.1 Chapter 1 Conscious Human Action
1.1 Freedom Of Indifferent Choice
Naturalism
One sad sign of the superficiality of today's thought is David Friedrich Strauss's book (The New and the Old Belief). It intends to construct a “new faith” from the results of scientific research, yet has only this to say on the question of freedom: "We are not concerned with the question of free will."
Theism
"The supposedly 'indifferent' freedom of choice has always been recognized as an empty illusion by every reputable philosophy. An indifferent choice is not a factor in determining the moral value of human conduct and character."
Intuitionism
I do not consider the book important. I quote this passage because it expresses the only opinion our thinking contemporaries seem able to reach on this question. Everyone who has grown beyond elementary science is certain of one thing about freedom. It cannot consist in choosing, entirely at will, between two courses of action. There is always, so we are told, a specific reason why a person carries out one action from among several possibilities.
Worldview Of Materialism
"There are people so constituted that it is not possible for them to find the way to the Spirit, and to give them any proof of the Spirit will always be hard."
"They stick to something they know about, in accordance with their nature."
"Let us say they stick at something that makes the crudest kind of impression on them — Materialism."
"Materialism writings hold good in the first place for material life, for the material world and its laws."
Rudolf Steiner, Human And Cosmic Thought
The text appears to express a viewpoint that aligns with a materialistic worldview, even though it discusses the concept of "Freedom Of Indifferent Choice" within the realm of philosophy and morality.
One sad sign of the superficiality of today's thought is David Friedrich Strauss's book (The New and the Old Belief). It intends to construct a “new faith” from the results of scientific research, yet has only this to say on the question of freedom: "We are not concerned with the question of free will."
It intends to construct a “new faith” from the results of scientific research, yet has only this to say on the question of freedom: "We are not concerned with the question of free will." The text refers to a "new faith" based on science that dismisses the question of free will as irrelevant. This dismissal aligns with a materialistic worldview, which often contends that human actions and choices are determined by physical or material conditions, thereby negating the concept of an 'indifferent' or uncaused choice.
"The supposedly 'indifferent' freedom of choice has always been recognized as an empty illusion by every reputable philosophy. An indifferent choice is not a factor in determining the moral value of human conduct and character."
The text goes on to state that reputable philosophies have always considered the idea of "indifferent" freedom of choice as an "empty illusion." In a materialistic framework, everything has a cause, and there is no room for choices made in a vacuum, devoid of influencing factors. This is in direct contrast to the concept of "indifferent" freedom, which posits that choices can be made independently of any conditions or causes. If a choice is made arbitrarily or "indifferently" without being guided by ethical principles, values, or specific conditions, it lacks moral significance.
I do not consider the book important. I quote this passage because it expresses the only opinion our thinking contemporaries seem able to reach on this question. Everyone who has grown beyond elementary science is certain of one thing about freedom. It cannot consist in choosing, entirely at will, between two courses of action. There is always, so we are told, a specific reason why a person carries out one action from among several possibilities.
The text argues that anyone who has grown beyond elementary understanding of science acknowledges that choices are never made in complete freedom, but are always influenced by specific reasons. This aligns with the deterministic nature of a materialistic worldview, where every event, including human action, is the result of prior events or conditions. The text echoes the tenets of materialism by emphasizing determinism and dismissing the idea of uncaused or "indifferent" choices. It suggests that scientific and philosophical perspectives have moved beyond the question of "indifferent" freedom, aligning more closely with a deterministic framework that leaves little room for unconditioned choices.
MODULE 1.1 Freedom Of Indifferent Choice
□ STEP 1.1 From freedom of indifferent choice, to a reason always exists.
1. INTRODUCTION
In Module 1.1, we explore Freedom of Indifferent Choice, often equated with freedom as license, where actions are fueled solely by the will, devoid of both thought and emotion, resulting in immediate reactive actions.
Consider the seemingly indifferent choice of selecting among different ice cream flavors, apparently unaffected by biases or influences. However, upon closer inspection, even these 'indifferent' decisions may be swayed by various factors like current mood, personal preferences, or even a past memory associated with a particular flavor.
The quest for freedom begins in a state of sleep, operating out of compulsive reactive willing. Progressing through Module 1.1 we awaken in consciousness, from the realm of indifferent choice towards recognizing that there is a reason underlying our choices. This recognition that there are motives behind our actions, even when we're not conscious of them, is a critical step in our journey. Since a motive exists, it means we can become conscious of it by reflecting on the action. Why did I choose that? Am I satisfied with my decision? Accepting responsibility for our conduct is crucial to our personal growth and development, as it equips us to understand our actions, learn from our errors, and actively influence our future decisions.
Becoming aware of the reasons behind our actions plays a pivotal role in shaping us as ethical individualists. Understanding that every choice is influenced by a set of factors and acknowledging these influences, guides us away from the illusion of indifferent choice towards a more aware and responsible version of freedom.
Freedom of Indifferent Choice: Freely choose between multiple courses of action entirely at will, implying that their decisions are made in isolation from any influencing factors.
A Reason Always Exists: The basic science that every action is determined by a specific cause.
Known Action
By questioning freedom, we engage in an active process of knowing why we act. We seek to understand the 'why' behind our choices, which lends our actions a level of intentionality and moral significance they wouldn't otherwise possess. This in-depth awareness enables us to move beyond mere impulsivity or casual choice-making into the realm of known, deliberate action, enriched by understanding and purpose.
2. LIFE EXAMPLES
Scenario: Pen Grab
Stage 1 - Indifferent Choice: A person freely picks a pen from a cup full of identical pens at the bank without any conscious thought.
Stage 2 - Illusion of Freedom (a reason exists): They unconsciously pick a pen on the right side of the cup because they are right-handed and naturally reach for things on the right.
Scenario: Choosing A Shirt
Stage 1 - Indifferent Choice: A person freely chooses a blue shirt without any specific reason, as both blue and black shirts seem equally suitable.
Stage 2 - Illusion of Freedom (a reason exists): They opt for the blue shirt because it unconsciously reminds them of the calming effect of the sky or ocean, influencing their decision.
Scenario: Impulse Purchase
Stage 1 - Indifferent Choice: A woman abruptly finds herself buying a candy bar at the checkout counter, despite not planning to.
Stage 2 - Illusion of Freedom (a reason exists): She later recognizes that her impulse purchase was influenced by the strategic placement of the candy bar and her own subconscious cravings for sugar, rather than a free, thought-out decision.
Scenario: Seat Sacrifice
Stage 1 - Indifferent Choice: A commuter on the subway finds themselves suddenly giving up their seat to an elderly person who just got on, without giving it any conscious thought.
Stage 2 - Illusion of Freedom (a reason exists): Upon reflection, they realize that their immediate action was actually driven by ingrained social values of respecting the elderly, which have been instilled in them since childhood. This conditioned response reveals the illusion of their perceived free choice.
Scenario: Night-Out
Stage 1 - Indifferent Choice: A young adult say "whateva", and on a whim decides to have a night out with friends, despite having an important presentation the next morning.
Stage 2 - Illusion of Freedom (a reason exists): The next day, as they struggle with the presentation due to lack of preparation and sleep, they realize that their choice was influenced by a desire for immediate pleasure and social acceptance rather than a free, considered decision.
Scenario: Gaming Escape
Stage 1 - Indifferent Choice: A young adult is unconcerned with spending hours each day playing video games, believing it's their free choice because they could be doing something else if they wanted.
Stage 2 - Illusion of Freedom (a reason exists): The individual eventually reflects on their habit and realizes their "choice" to play video games is largely determined by an underlying desire to escape from the stress of schoolwork and social pressure. They come to understand that their perceived free choice was more of a conditioned response to stress rather than an actual free decision.
3. THE PHILOSOPHY OF FREEDOM TOPIC 1.1 QUOTE
"One sad sign of the superficiality of today's thought is David Friedrich Strauss's book. It intends to construct a “new faith” from the results of scientific research."
There's been a societal shift from religious faith to a "new faith" in scientific research. In previous centuries, people largely relied on religious rituals and prayers for healing. Natural events like earthquakes, storms, and eclipses were often considered divine interventions or omens. Issues like genetic modification or use of AI in human augmentation are considered by some the purview of religious or philosophical debate around "playing God." Now, bioethical considerations grounded in scientific study often guide these discussions.
While religion often places the source of human freedom in the realm of the soul or divine will, this "new faith" in science requires explaining freedom through biological, psychological, and sociological factors. The "new faith" ends up chaining the idea of freedom to empirically observable physical phenomena, thereby stripping it of its transcendent nature and reducing it to mere reactions to environmental stimuli or biological programming. The critique lies in this failure to recognize the deeper, more complex layers of human freedom.
Scientific instruments are invaluable in their ability to measure and observe phenomena. However, it's important to remember that humans themselves are unique instruments for observation, particularly when it comes to internal experiences and phenomena that aren't easily measurable. Rudolf Steiner's approach in "The Philosophy of Freedom" exemplifies this, as he employed focused introspective observations of the mind to provide the work with a scientific basis.
4. REFLECTION QUESTIONS FOR THE PRACTICE OF PURE THINKING
Objective: Experience the joy of soaring into the realm of concepts.
If science can potentially explain the reason for every choice we make, what room, if any, is left for the concept of freedom? What are the moral consequences of a freedom of "indifference" that is considered to be the license to do anything one wants?
5. DARIUS THE INDIFFERENT
Darius embodied the spirit of indifferent choice, a materialist in every sense of the word, drifting through life unencumbered by the considerations of morality, ethics, or even the consequences of his actions. His understanding of freedom was simple – the liberty to act according to whims and fancies, a relentless pursuit of sensual pleasures and social entitlements. This was the indifferent materialist, living life on his own terms, an epitome of freedom as license.
Every decision, every action, stemmed from a willful, impulsive reaction to the world around him. His life was a canvas of indulgence, splashed with colors of his desires. There were no constraints, no boundaries, no regard for right or wrong. He simply reacted, free from restrictions, guided solely by his natural urges and the social conditioning of his ethnic group.
Over time, his actions led to a broken marriage leaving children without a father. His pursuit of unrestrained freedom left him with broken relationships, unfulfilled desires, and a gnawing sense of emptiness. It was amidst this storm of discontent and depression that he was forced to reflect upon his life.
For the first time, Darius questioned his concept of freedom. He realized his life was dictated not by genuine free will, but by unconscious motives and reactive impulses. His so-called freedom was an illusion, a mirage of choice where the deciding factors were his natural urges and ingrained social conditioning. He were not free; instead, he was a slave to his unconscious motives, his whims and desires.
The first step in Darius's personal development occurred when he began to question his own understanding of freedom. This moment of questioning was a turning point for him. He came to see that true freedom wasn't about acting on impulse, but rather about understanding and taking responsibility for his choices. He recognized that he needed to explore the deeper motives driving his actions. Darius had awakened to the realization that he had been a slave to his unconscious desires, and was now prepared to step into the realm of conscious decision-making as he embarked on his journey of personal development.
6. PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF QUESTIONING REASON FOR ACTION
Objective: Adopt an individualistic attitude aligned with principles of freedom.
- Identifying Indifferent Action: Be mindful of your decision-making process throughout the day. Each time you make a decision, ask yourself: "Was this choice made out of indifference, where it didn't really matter to me, or was there a clear intention behind it?"
- Recalling Reasons: Each time you have an immediate willful reaction, take a moment to deeply reflect on why you made that choice. Was it a natural urge, a habitual response, or influenced by societal expectations? Or something else?
- Recognizing Freedom as License: In your daily life, be mindful of situations where you exercise your freedom as license, allowing yourself to impulsively act without regard for consequences. For example, giving into a craving for junk food, or reacting out of anger without considering the aftermath. Acknowledge these instances, and ponder on the underlying reasons.
7. CLOSING THOUGHTS
In this module we have begun to bridge the gap between a mere action and a known action, one that we understand and are consciously aware of. By advancing from indifferent choice to a choice determined by reason, we have taken the first step towards genuine freedom, moving from mere reactions to thoughtful responses.
The Philosophy of Freedom is not just a philosophical treatise but a science that builds upon the foundations of freedom of thought. It is based on introspective observation of the workings of the human mind, akin to how natural science observes the external world. It offers a science of freedom that equips us with the knowledge and insights to navigate life responsibly. This Steiner quote underlines the importance of a science of freedom.
"When we look at the present epoch and the new trends, we perceive that what is lacking is precisely what The Philosophy of Freedom seeks to achieve. On a basis of freedom of thought The Philosophy of Freedom establishes a science of freedom which is fully in accord with natural science, yet reaches beyond it. For if freedom without the solid foundation of a science of freedom were regarded as real freedom, then, in an age when evil is gaining ground, freedom would of necessity lead not to liberty, but to license." Rudolf Steiner, 1918 From Symptom To Reality in Modern History Lecture VI: Brief Reflections on the Publication of the New Edition of 'The Philosophy of Freedom'
In the second part of the quote, Steiner warns against the rise of a freedom devoid of responsibility and understanding. This freedom, according to Steiner, would inevitably lead to license, a state of unrestrained behavior, which can threaten the social fabric of civilization. It is thus essential, especially in our age dominated by scientific thinking, to establish a science of freedom.
This science of freedom serves as a guide for human development and for structuring society. It provides the foundation for ethical individualism, where individuals recognize their interdependence and take responsibility for their actions. In essence, it steers us towards a future where freedom is not just an illusory concept, but a lived reality.
