As I live a more relaxed life, I have started to feel as if my future is already predetermined. You also know there is a conflict between determinism and free will. Let’s talk about it.
Determinism vs. free will
Sometimes, we want to know the reason for others’ strange beliefs and philosophies. Some extraordinary ways of thinking and living seem only harmful to us.
One example is determinism. There is a conflict between determinism and free will, as follows:
- Determinism: We think everything, including what will happen in the future, is predetermined by the gods or natural laws. We will follow that.
- Free will: We think we could change everything, including what will happen in the future. We will follow our inner voice or values.
We often prefer free will to determinism, especially if we are empathic. Determinism makes it look like all our efforts are in vain.
This tendency is frequently seen in the stories. The villain is a godlike, powerful being. It attacks innocent people who live humbly and happily, including protagonists, and tries to destroy them. The villain claims determinism, saying, “Nothing you do will matter, and you are destined to ruin.” On the other hand, the protagonist challenges it with his own will. Determinism is prone to becoming evil.
I also used to feel so. I wanted to live according to my will and create my future.
However, I realized that the difference in perspective causes them. It was simple, and now I prefer determinism. Today, I will explain the logic. This perspective might allow you to perceive reality differently and live in another way.
Subjective and an objective perspective
Our perspective determines how we perceive reality, as follows:
- Our subjective perspective leads us to perceive our unique purposes by contrasting them with our surroundings. This is the sense of free will.
- Our objective perspective makes us recognize the larger situation, including our intentions. This is the sense of determinism. Rationality makes us look at reality this way.
To explain the sense of determinism, let’s look at an example.
Rationality and determinism
Suppose two people want to climb a mountain. One is rational, and the other is irrational. Since neither can obtain a map and assistance from others, they have to go on their own.
From the perspective of rationality, the path that the rational one takes is almost predetermined. This is because there is always the most reasonable route.
He judges rationally even about unexpected matters.
Since he is not a god, his comprehension of his situation is always limited. He has to judge based on his knowledge and sense at each point. He cannot recognize the existence of the valleys and rivers, which cannot be seen from the starting point, until he arrives there. He must aim for the summit while confronting these unexpected problems.
Logically speaking, he cannot avoid these troubles and detours. We are such a person. If we look at ourselves objectively from the perspective of rationality, our failures and reactions are inevitable and predetermined.
That is the sense of determinism. We are moving toward an unknown future that includes the unexpected.
Subjective perspective and free will
On the other hand, the irrational climber doesn’t have reasonable criteria for judgment. He moves randomly.
He laments whenever he encounters new obstacles. If he faces a new canyon that forces him to take a detour, he laments his past self and exclaims, “Why didn’t I notice this canyon earlier?”
Although it is an unreasonable demand for his past self, he cannot recognize the absurdity because he is irrational.
As he encounters new obstacles, he blames his past self. That makes him pursue perfection. He tries to predict every trouble.
Trying to foresee future obstacles drives him to imagine the worst future. He feels fear at the worst-case scenario of death. Even if the climbing is so easy that even children can achieve it, he cannot free himself from his fear because he is irrational.
That makes him hesitate to act. Then, he tries to learn about mountains and climbing as much as possible.
He wants to climb the mountain someday while doing a disgusting job. He feels stagnation.
From his perspective, he is fighting against his fate. All obstacles are enemies to his intention. He has to maintain his will because giving it up makes him despair.
That is the sense of irrationality. Knowing this mental logic allows us to break free from stagnation.
Conclusion
That is the difference between determinism and free will.
Our perspective determines how we perceive reality.
This perspective might allow you to perceive things differently and live in another way.
Thank you for reading this article. I hope to see you in the next one.
