The topic of free will and moral responsibility has been hard fought for a long time in philosophical circles. Do we ever choose freely? Are we always making decisions because of our past experiences? Nature versus Nurture enters the fray as well as the way neurons fire in our brain. But let me offer one thought about the debates:
Who cares?
Now, I do care about the discussion because I believe there is an answer out there (and we probably can’t even fathom it yet), so the conversation and constant experimentation creates opportunities in other areas of life both intellectual and physical. However, does it matter if I choose freely or not to my every day life? Will I be any less me simply because I either do or do not choose each action of every day of my life? I mean, there are many times we are hindered from exercising our free will (for instance, I cannot flap my arms fast enough to fly without assistance from an airplane or helicopter), but we don’t automatically assume that I have no free will simply because there is something I cannot do freely.
Although these discussions are important, challenging, and full of growth both culturally and scientifically, they do not contribute to my every day life as I live it. What I mean is this: I live my life as if I am free to choose my actions. If I am not free to choose my actions, then I can choose no differently than I will anyway. So, I live my life assuming I am free and if it turns out I am not, then I couldn’t have done otherwise anyway.
But freedom means nothing if we do not exercise it, correct? What am I doing with my freedom? We all see freedom as precious and worth protecting. The United States Constitution and Declaration of Independence were both conceived based on that notion. Wars have been fought over freedom. Laws have been passed over freedom. And yet we squander it like a toddler with a bar of gold.
How much of my freedom do I use wasting time and energy doing things that don’t matter or bring me or those around me any joy? How much of my freedom have I thrown away believing that I can always get the same opportunities again and again until I take it?
For instance, I am free to show my wife love and appreciation by doing the dishes that I am piling up, vacuuming the apartment, and taking the trash out. But how many times do I waste that freedom by making myself a slave to YouTube or video games?
We make prisons for ourselves rather than basking in freedom. And we make these prisons without realizing it. We even deny that they are prisons! Yet here we are, struggling to exercise our freedom to become the best of the best.
I’ve seen many stats on how terribly obese Americans are. But why is that? Are they not free to choose healthy food? Are Americans even less free than third world countries where a three-meal day is unheard of? No. We have more freedom because we have more success and opportunity than anyone in the world. But because of that, we also have the freedom to choose to be the worst of the worst and indulge in excesses that cause harm.
Choose to exercise your freedom wisely. Just like how the US has some incredible athletes, we also struggle with the highest rate of obesity. We deal in extremes because we are free to do so. Don’t let your freedom drag you into mental obesity. Use your freedom to reach greater heights never before imagined by any of your friends or family. And bring them there with you.
Micah Davis
The Soapbox 