One hopes that we make our choices from free will. We like to think that our thoughts are generated by us alone. We definitely like to think that our behaviours are in our control.
Is it possible however that most of these things are controlled by our genes or learned in early infancy as programmed pathways in our brain. Freud seemed to think that we had repetition compulsions, automatic ways of thinking and behaving. The grace here was that we can become aware of these and consciously think about them, choosing to change if we wished. This clearly requires more energy and is unlikely to happen of there is no reason to do so.
So maybe we are not in control of our lives as much as we think.Perhaps we can live a more authentic and connected life but we need to work hard at that. This is usually called transformational thinking. If we aim to learn from the past, aim for better in the future then we can live a good life. We don't need to be anxious about the past, so long as we learn from it.
Of course, not everyone wants to improve and learn. Many people are happy with the place they are in. Many people cannot see the problems, especially if they blame everyone else rather than looking inwardly. It looks like they have little free will.
Where do you think you might be with respect to free will or automated living?
Is it possible however that most of these things are controlled by our genes or learned in early infancy as programmed pathways in our brain. Freud seemed to think that we had repetition compulsions, automatic ways of thinking and behaving. The grace here was that we can become aware of these and consciously think about them, choosing to change if we wished. This clearly requires more energy and is unlikely to happen of there is no reason to do so.
So maybe we are not in control of our lives as much as we think.Perhaps we can live a more authentic and connected life but we need to work hard at that. This is usually called transformational thinking. If we aim to learn from the past, aim for better in the future then we can live a good life. We don't need to be anxious about the past, so long as we learn from it.
Of course, not everyone wants to improve and learn. Many people are happy with the place they are in. Many people cannot see the problems, especially if they blame everyone else rather than looking inwardly. It looks like they have little free will.
Where do you think you might be with respect to free will or automated living?
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