We didn’t choose our genetics, our brain, our perceptions, how our brains and bodies react to billions of situations that are mostly out of our control. Every decision is caused in a large part by uncontrollable reactions in our bodies and brains. If we have free will at all, it is a small part of who we are. This makes me more open-minded, forgiving, and less ego-centric. But it’s not like I had a choice. 😉
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I disagree! Our brains shaped by our experiences and the attachments we make. While the majority of decisions we make are unconscious, that does not put them completely out of our control. Through reflection, self-awareness and conscious decisions we make about our associations, the information we choose to consume and our environment, we can forge new neural pathways and literally change our minds.
Rob, I totally agree with you. To a point. I’m saying how much our perceived control is a lot smaller than most people think. (of course that is my own perception) We are very much slaves to the limits of our physicality and the chaos life throws at us. On the larger scale we are more reactive than proactive. It is only through reflection, self-awareness and conscious decisions that we have any control at all. And some, if not many, do not utilize this as much as the could. But that’s a whole other topic.
And my “But it’s not like I had a choice.” line was mostly just tongue in cheek.