Choice sometimes an illusion LO4554

Doug Seeley (100433.133@compuserve.com)
02 Jan 96 01:21:03 EST

In response to this thread in Dave Birred LO4389 and the Choice is an
Illusion? thread strongly defended by John Woods in LO4352 and LO4393 for
example, I offer the following perspectives:

John seems to be arguing from a perspective that regards all human choice
as the result of a kind of information processing which takes current
data, interacts with the assumptions and beliefs which we currently have,
and presto a decision is made. For convenience, I will refer to this
interpretation as the Information Processing perspective. I agree that a
good deal of human and organizational decision-making is carried out in
this way. However, in my experience, this perspective does not go deep
enough into the bedrock of self-awareness.

The information processing perspective assumes that understanding, self-
awareness and indeed consciousness is derivative from brain processing, a
kind of neural psycho-chemical computational process, commonly assumed by
researchers in Cognitive Science (including Artificial Intelligence).
John seems to indicate this in identifying with his brain and the mystery
and wonder that it know itself. This appears to posit an objective,
physical universe (including brains) from which consciousness and mystery
emerge. Could it not be the other way around, and the physical universe
and brains emerge from the roots of consciousness itself?

Moreover, in LO4393 a position seems to be indicated by John's remarks
about Buddhist "desiring desirelessness" and that "this is what the Buddha
understood"... that the in-depth exploration of our awareness for which
the Buddhists and others have very long traditions, results in thoughts
idea/understandings, and not in direct contact with the strata underlying
awareness itslelf. In my experience, getting below these cognitive layers
and thought structures requires the very arduous, and rigorous dropping of
identifications and assumptions. It is not simply a matter of
intellectual effort, but overcoming the many barriers (mental, emotional,
sensory) to letting go of All preconceptions.

In my experience and that of some others, there is also something which
emerges from these depths which could be called Fundamental Choice....
For me it is an absolute spontaneity which is the freedom of the totality
of existence channelling through the aperture of my individuality. Hence,
the notion of "free choice" is valid for me at this fundamental level, a
level independent from, but completely influencing the vicissitudes of
ordinary human decision-making. For me it is also what makes empowerment
possible (in the self-generated sense)

For me, this deep freedom is something which we all share, and any
attempts at depriving others from it, only deprives ourselves to an even
greater extent. For me as well, it is the basis of a "deep democracy"
between us all. The common perspective in modern science of only an
"objective reality", grants an authority to the interpreters of this
objectivism, those scientists who take a priestly or "true believer"
stance, deprives You and I, the sovereignty of our own deep freedom, and
results in a kind of tyranny. Rather, You and I granting each other the
dignity of this deep freedom, then becoming victims to the preconceptions
of establishment rationality.

Hence for me, choice at this deep level is not an illusion, even though on
many levels of human experience it seems to be so. Does this ring any
bells?

--
Doug Seeley:  CompuServe 100433.133   and Fax (Geneva) +41 22 756 3957
		 "What is the formless background to our individuality?"

Doug Seeley <100433.133@compuserve.com>