Ways of Seeing
- Exploring Modern Metaphysics -


FREEDOM - How Free are we?

How free are we? Can we really be free at all? From my own experience I find that in certain ways we can be free if we make a point of it, and in other ways it is impossible to be completely free. See if you agree with the below according to your own personal experience. If you find disagreements with or additions to this chart I would very much like to hear from you!

Ways in which complete freedom is:

PossibleImpossibleKicker
ImaginationExperienceYou can imagine whatever you want if you are persistent, but you can not experience whatever you want unless you want nothing or very little.
DesireAttainmentCan one know the ultimate results of one's actions in trying to satisfy one's desires? Can one know the ultimate result of not trying to satisfy them?
DecisionImplementationYou can make any decision you want but you can carry it through only sometimes, unless you decide very little.
Interpretation*
/Question
/Critique
Application/Verification
/Convince others
We can think anything we want about the world, but when it comes to proving it or convincing others we are restricted.
ThoughtSpeech/Action/ExpressionYou can think anything you want, but when you go to express it you can encounter extreme resistance.
Mental/InternalPhysical/ExternalPriority of needs / inherited genetics provides the mechanism for freedom (the brain) and the "necessity" for using it (the needs of the body).
Attention choicePerception choiceConsciousness can direct attention.
AwarenessSensationYou can direct your awareness, but you can not completely control what sensations impinge on your body.
(One of one)(One of many)In general, when you are within yourself you can be completely free in some ways. When you relate to the world and other people you can never be completely free.
* Interpretation holds a special place in metaphysics. For specifics, please see the next two Topics.


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