Free Will †<
We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances." - Victor Frankl
Mankind is born with a number of rights and freedoms throughout history every single one of these has been removed at one time or another, from one group of humans by others, from the right to live in a specific area, the right to live freely, the right to live at all. But no matter what atrocities have been performed those oppressed have always had one freedom, one right that cannot be taken. The one thing that all people have and which cannot be removed is free will.
Mankind as a species have done a lot of great things throughout history, and a lot of stupid things, although born with the ability to understand the consequences of our actions, and to reason and know what is best for others and ourselves. Mankind continues act in a way that is illogical, although we understand the things which would be the best for ourselves and others, time and again when faced with a situation even though we know what would be the best for us, we choose the opposite. Even though we understand what would bring us the most happiness we choose to do otherwise, although we understand the most sensible course of action time and again we choose not to take it. Why do we ignore the advice of those whose knowledge or wisdom seems much greater than our own? And why after centuries has mankind still not resolved its differences? It is that little rebellious streak which we just cannot repress, that little voice which tells us to ignore our all logic and reason and do it anyway, our free will.
It is this free will, this ability to choose our own course in life that makes us question rather than accept at face value, sometimes we exercise this right with good consequences, sometimes with bad, but it’s always there. It is the reason for us committing the most heinous of crimes and the most selfless of acts, it makes us individuals capable of making choices for ourselves, and not just the mindless automatons that many authorities would wish us to be. And in this lies its beauty, without free will, we lose purpose, if all is predetermined why bother to go on? Without free will we are nought but biological robots pre-programmed to accept without question, to act without feeling or compassion, we control nothing, can achieve nothing. Free Will in all its simplicity is the very thing that makes us human. The old religions failed to take free will into account when they stated that God determines all, and that small oversight, in time, will become their downfall, because this determinism removes mans most important right of all, the right to choose.
“I may not agree with your point of view but I am ready to fight tooth and nail for your right to express it.” Voltaire
Freedoms of all kinds, of thought, of religion, of choice, are things that are traditionally removed by organised religions. The religious scriptures tell us what to do in all circumstances, they tell us to ignore science, other religions, even our own common sense, in order that we should have Blind Faith. They tell us what to think regarding moral issues, they tell us how to live our lives, they control us and make sure we follow their orders. Based on what? Based or our fears regarding the unknown. Seek out the truth for yourself and the fear will pass.- Duncan Rossiter