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Post by Cain Da'arnesh on Dec 30, 2010 22:00:39 GMT -6
About free will. I'm starting to suspect that it doesn't really exist. That we are all the products of our environments coupled with genetic tendencies. I would really like to get some other opinions on this as I don't really have anything resembling a solid answer on this topic.
I mean, at one point, I made a conscious decision to go over to Satan. I understand that much. But was that a cosmic accident or perhaps some inner driven ideal of mine? How do I know that I'm making decisions for myself at all when I'm thinking that I was going to make these so called decisions all along?
And what about other people's influences on us? I mean, do we make decisions based on there perceptions as well? And even if we don't consciously believe we are taking their perceptions into account, could it be that we still are?
This is all I have for my meditation on the subject. I'm about to meditate for real, and when I get back, perhaps there will be new thoughts on this subject as I'd really like some other speculations regarding it.
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Post by Erebos on Dec 31, 2010 17:14:42 GMT -6
Yes, we are products of our environment and genetics, but that is what develops our Will. You express free Will everyday by every decision you make. Then some think that our lives are planned out and we are actually following the Will of something else and if thats the case so be it. Try your hardest to advance yourself and do what your goals of happiness are, and maybe you could break free from that other Will that suppresses your own.
This could go along with the Cults ideas. We must work through difficult challenges as to become stronger and escape this false reality, which the false reality does mold your Will to a large extent.
Yes, we are influenced by others all the time, no mater if you don't agree with their views. Each person affects you a little everyday whether its good or bad. It can be good to learn their perceptions as to understand them while taking the good parts of their perceptions, and bad when their false perceptions are absorbed into your thinking.
This happens everyday in small quantities building up each time. Think of it as radiation or heavy metals, if you are exposed to it a little each day it could eventually have bad affects, but if you take precautions against it you will be fine.
As long as you observe the people and how they influence you no matter how small and then sort through your mind whats good and bad to prevent the false influences from seeping in.
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Post by Cain Da'arnesh on Jan 3, 2011 17:37:20 GMT -6
That is precisely why I make it a point to stay the hell away from my stepmother interestingly enough. She's a cancer to my psyche and really not good for me!
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Post by Erebos on Jan 3, 2011 18:01:50 GMT -6
Indeed, if ones influence is to much to defend against then the only possibility may be to avoid contact. That is until you become strong enough to withstand against such cancers and by keeping that detrimental person in the back of your mind gives you even more motivation to become stronger and more awakened, as every little bit of motivation helps.
Belief Truly Is Reality!
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Post by thoth25 on Jan 3, 2011 18:21:47 GMT -6
B.F. Skinner's idea adds an interesting angle to this topic. I believe what his theory is, is that all of our actions are simply results of some some sort of stimuli in our environment. We are neither controlled by will, or by a cosmic force, but by our environment.
I believe we do indeed have free will but environmental stimuli definitely does play a role in our actions, or should i say, reactions.
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Post by Cain Da'arnesh on Jan 4, 2011 0:11:13 GMT -6
A good friend of mine once told me, "Yes and no!" as an answer to this question. As such, I believe Thoth25 is on to something there! However, I think it's in our best interests to become more aware, so we can realize why people do the things they do. As well as there potential effects on us and guard against them when deemed necessary. I think I'm starting to realize what part of this is all about at this point.
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Post by thoth25 on Jan 4, 2011 20:00:26 GMT -6
As well as there potential effects on us and guard against them when deemed necessary. Completely agree! |
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