Science Of Freedom Workbook
Text: "The Philosophy of Freedom" by Rudolf Steiner
Topic 1.2 Chapter 1 Conscious Human Action
1.2 Freedom Of Choice
Naturalism
[2] This seems obvious. Yet opponents of freedom still direct their main attacks against freedom of choice.
Theism
Herbert Spencer, whose doctrines are growing in popularity, says,
"That everyone is at liberty to desire or not to desire, as he pleases, is the essential principle concealed in the dogma of free will.
Intuitionism
This freedom is refuted by the analysis of consciousness, as well as by the contents of the preceding chapter [on psychology]."
Worldview Of Spiritism
"people who, owing to a certain inwardness, are naturally predisposed to see in all that is material only the revelation of the spiritual."
"matter, they say, is only the revelation, the manifestation, of the underlying spiritual."
"As all their ideas of the spiritual come to them through their own inner activity, they may go through the world with the consciousness that the true, the lofty, in which one ought to interest oneself — all genuine reality — is found only in the Spirit; that matter is only illusion."
"they certainly do recognize what is most real, the Spirit"
Rudolf Steiner, Human And Cosmic Thought lectures
Each part of the text speaks to a worldview in which the spiritual plays an essential role. In TPOF, the "spiritual" is usually expressed as "inner activity."
This seems obvious. Yet opponents of freedom still direct their main attacks against freedom of choice.
Spiritists, who believe that genuine reality is only found within, begins by dismissing the preceding superficial Materialist view by calling it "obvious", as it ignores the deeper, spiritual dimensions of human agency. In a worldview that holds the spiritual as paramount, freedom of choice becomes crucial. Here, the significance of choice is not just a reaction to stimuli or predetermined factors but something that potentially involves a higher aspect of human existence.
Herbert Spencer, whose doctrines are growing in popularity, says,
"That everyone is at liberty to desire or not to desire, as he pleases, is the essential principle concealed in the dogma of free will."
A Spiritist perspective would likely emphasize that desires or feelings aren't merely whims to be entertained or rejected at will. Instead, these feeling impressions are deeply connected to the individual's inner spiritual life. For a Spiritist, desires and feelings could be meaningful pointers to deeper truths, rather than random or conditioned responses that can simply be turned on or off at will.
This freedom is refuted by the analysis of consciousness, as well as by the contents of the preceding chapter [on psychology].
Refuting this freedom with the introspective analysis of consciousness expresses a Spiritist view, which places great emphasis on inner experience as the source of genuine reality. The real task, from this perspective, is to delve into one's inner life, explore the spiritual dimensions of consciousness to discover the truth of human freedom.
MODULE 1.2 Freedom Of Choice
□ STEP 1.2 From freedom of choice, to determined by desire.
1. INTRODUCTION
In MODULE 1.2, we delve into the concept of 'Freedom of Choice,' the idea that we can make our own decisions and select whatever we want from a range of options. This principle is at the heart of many of our daily actions and is a key component of our experience of personal freedom.
Throughout our daily life, the notion of freedom of choice appears in various forms. It's apparent when we decide what to eat for breakfast, which route to take to work, or even when we select the type of entertainment to enjoy. These seemingly ordinary choices are usually seen as expressions of our free will.
This module will challenge the notion of freedom of choice. Step 1.2 moves from the illusion of free choice to an awareness that our choices are often determined by compelling desires that lie beneath our conscious thoughts. The journey to becoming an ethical individualist involves recognizing and understanding these underlying urges that shape our choices.
Freedom Of Choice: Individuals have the liberty to make choices according to their own desires and preferences.
Determined By Desire: Choices are driven by compelling desires within the individual, over which the individual is not necessarily free.
Known Action
Known Action is action that arises from a thorough understanding of oneself. This requires introspective observation to become aware of the desires that influence one's choices. What is the source of these desires?
2. LIFE EXAMPLES
Scenario: The Runner
Stage 1 - Freedom of Choice: A person decides to go for a run every morning, believing they are freely making this choice.
Stage 2 - Illusion of Freedom (desire): However, they notice that this decision always comes with a surge of desire that isn't present when considering other forms of exercise. This desire determines the choice.
Scenario: Morning Coffee
Stage 1 - Freedom of Choice: An individual chooses to always have a cup of coffee first thing in the morning, believing it to be a free choice.
Stage 2 - Illusion of Freedom (desire): Over time, they realize that the very thought of coffee stimulates a strong desire that isn't stirred up by other breakfast beverages. This desire is what determines the choice.
Scenario: Reading Mystery Novels
Stage 1 - Freedom of Choice: A person always selects mystery novels from the library, assuming it's a free choice based on their diverse literary taste.
Stage 2 - Illusion of Freedom (desire): They notice that the selection of mystery novels is always accompanied by a distinct desire, unlike when they consider other genres. This desire determines the choice.
Scenario: Ancient Language
Stage 1 - Freedom of Choice: A person decides to learn a niche, ancient language, believing they're making a free choice based on their interest in languages.
Stage 2 - Illusion of Freedom (desire): As they go about their studies, they notice an unmistakable spark of desire ignited only by this specific language, not present when they consider studying more common languages. This desire is what determines the choice.
Scenario: Exotic Fruits
Stage 1 - Freedom of Choice: An individual routinely chooses to eat exotic fruits over more common ones, assuming they're freely making this choice due to their adventurous culinary spirit.
Stage 2 - Illusion of Freedom (desire): They realize that this choice is always accompanied by a surge of desire that isn't evoked when they think about choosing regular fruits. The choice is determined by desire.
Scenario: Scenic Routes
Stage 1 - Freedom of Choice: A person frequently opts to take long, circuitous routes when traveling, assuming they're freely making this choice because they enjoy sightseeing.
Stage 2 - Illusion of Freedom (desire): They notice that the choice to take the scenic route always arises with an undercurrent of desire that's absent when they consider taking the most direct route. The choice is determined by desire.
3. THE PHILOSOPHY OF FREEDOM TOPIC 1.2 QUOTE
"That everyone is at liberty to desire or not to desire, as he pleases, is the essential principle concealed in the dogma of free will."
The notion "that everyone is at liberty to desire or not to desire, as he pleases" appears on the surface to be a straightforward assertion of personal freedom. Many people might believe they are exercising this form of freedom daily in a variety of contexts. However, the complexity arises when one dives deeper into the psychology and social conditioning influencing these 'desires.' What is the source of the desire?
In the realm of consumer choices, deciding whether to buy organic vegetables or non-organic ones may appear as a free choice based on a desire for health or affordability. However, this desire might be shaped by societal narratives around sustainability and wellness that subtly influence what one "wants." When it comes to choosing a career path, people often feel they're following their true calling, believing their choice is based on personal desire. Yet, this choice may actually be framed by parental expectations or societal values that shape what professions are considered "desirable." Similarly, entering or leaving relationships can seem like a matter of personal preference and desire, but often these choices are influenced by cultural norms or social pressures. Even seemingly personal hobbies and interests, like taking up knitting or reading mystery novels, may not be purely self-directed; they can be influenced by the social circles one frequents or the values one has internalized over time.
So while it may seem like we're freely choosing based on our desires, those very desires may not be as 'free' as we think. They could be influenced or even determined by various factors that we've internalized, casting doubt on the idea that we are completely "at liberty to desire or not to desire, as we please."
4. REFLECTION QUESTIONS FOR THE PRACTICE OF PURE THINKING
Objective: Experience the joy of soaring into the realm of concepts.
Why do you think the ability to make a free choice is often considered a fundamental human right? What are the potential consequences, both for the individual and for society as a whole, when limitations are imposed on freedom of choice?
5. NAVIGATING HYPERSENSITIVITY
Emma, a liberal arts student at a prominent university, had a heart that could feel the world. Her hypersensitivity was not just a trait; it was her guiding compass, leading her through life. Emma believed that her feelings were not just a part of her, but her truth-seekers, driving her decisions and shaping her world-view. Every story of global injustice, every act of unkindness she witnessed echoed within her, compelling her towards a life devoted to activism, community work, and volunteering.
However, the same sensitivity that fueled her compassion also made her vulnerable to the harsh realities of the world. Emma found herself in a constant state of emotional turmoil. Her empathetic nature led her to shoulder the pain of others, which combined with her personal struggles, led to a state of chronic emotional exhaustion. Her peers, unable to comprehend her profound sensitivity, often reacted to her actions with confusion and misunderstanding, making her feel even more isolated and misunderstood.
Emma felt the world was full of hurtful people, and it depressed her. Because her feelings were easily hurt she began blaming others for her pain. The strain took a toll on her mental health. She felt like a constant victim to the cruelty of others, and she fell into a state of despair.
One day, after a particularly intense confrontation with a classmate over a social issue, Emma found herself in her room, tears streaming down her face, feeling utterly drained. As she reflected on her feelings, choices, and reactions, an epiphany struck her: her feelings, as intense and compelling as they were, had been dominating her choices. Her life had become a reflection of her hypersensitive reactions to the world, and it wasn't working. Hypersensitivity had led her into a state of victimhood, which was exacerbating her depression and stress.
Emma realized then that she needed to find a different way to navigate life. She could not make the world a better place if her own life was a mess. She needed to understand the role her feelings played in her life, confront them, and learn how to cope. She moved beyond the illusion that being dominated by personal feelings and desires is some kind of freedom or the expression of one's genuine self. This self-awareness brought a sense of relief and clarity. Recognizing the compelling desires that determine her choices was the first step toward learning to navigate through them, and make progress towards becoming an ethical individualist.
6. PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF QUESTIONING CHOICES
Objective: Adopt an individualistic attitude aligned with principles of freedom.
- Observing Choices and Desires: Throughout your day, consciously observe the choices you make, no matter how big or small. Identify any underlying desires that might have compelled those decisions. You might not initially understand the reasons for these desires, but awareness is the first step.
- Desire Awareness Exercise: Pick a daily activity or routine choice that you believe is made freely. Focus on what desires might actually be at play. Is there a craving, an aversion, a need, or a want that influences this choice? This exercise will help you recognize that even mundane or routine choices are often guided by underlying desires.
- Analyzing the Desire Intensity: For your choices, rate on a scale from 1 to 10 the intensity of desire you felt at that moment. This will help you become more conscious of how strong or weak your desires were when making decisions.
7. CLOSING THOUGHTS
In Module 1.2 Freedom Of Choice, we stepped away from the assumption of 'free choices' to acknowledge the compelling role our desires play. Our choices, we now understand, are not born in a vacuum but are driven by our inherent desires. Our freedom stems not merely from the ability to choose but from comprehending the why behind those choices to know why we act. It brings us a step closer to becoming ethical individualists who act not as mere puppets of their desires but as masters of them.
This understanding of desire carries broader societal implications. It safeguards us against the manipulation of our desires by external entities that often exploit our unawareness to direct our decisions. Consider a politician promising to waive student loans to garner the youth vote. Those aware of how their desires might be manipulated can probe beyond the surface and consider the larger implications of such a promise.
A society where individuals understand the workings of their desires is less susceptible to manipulation and more likely to foster healthier, more authentic interactions. This progression from being passive recipients of our desires to active participants in shaping them forms the foundation of a society characterized by informed choices and mutual respect.
