Has anybody else picked this up yet? It’s really done a number on me. Prior to reading it I would consider myself a Stoic. One of my central philosophies being that “The choices I make define who I am”.
So obviously being told that my choices were never even mine to begin with was kind of a slap in the face.
It rings true though. The choices we make at any given time are a result of our genetics, or environment, the media we’ve consumed, how tired we are…
I’m not a stranger to the concept of Ego death but it had been a hot minute since I thought about it.
Haven’t read the book, so there’s that.
But I do know that “no free will” is the cry of those who no longer take responsibility for their choices. Nothing is their fault. They can freely point the finger at anything but themselves and blame that.
“I couldn’t help it. It was genetics. It was my environment. I’m not responsible.”
That’s what it all amounts to.
And I’ll say this: Bullshit.
Ego death is necessary, but losing free will is a lie. You can learn that you are not the most important thing in this life (ego death) and still have free will.
You were right the first time: The choices you make do define who you are, no matter what any book tells you.
Including the choice to abandon all responsibility for the self in the name of the lie of “no free will.”
Upvoted.
I also can’t stand the moronic idea of “no free will”. What a whole load of bullshit that victims love to embrace.
I mean, how stupid is it to argue for your own lack of freewill?
That’s ok. There’s a lot of reasons why you feel this way.
You’re very obtuse, but I forgive you because it’s not your fault.