I ask today of the charges against natural will and whether they are valid.
Specifically, are we made worse by not believing free will exists? Does it constrain our actions? Does it make us lazy?
Can the theory of natural will capture the essence of life and not drain it of meaning?
I propose it can.
If will is the faculty of choice, then what is natural will? It is choice made due to the entirety of nature’s influences, not a separate ego.
Understanding natural will helps us see that the feeling of free will is detrimental.
Rather than setting us free, the idea of free will imprisons us in suffering.
Belief in natural will actually allows for a more fluid, less self-conscious way of life.
Instead of judging yourself harshly when your goal is not met, you realize that identity is an illusion and you couldn’t have acted any other way.
You can’t force the universe to conform with your choices. You only have an illusion of choice.
With the understanding that will is natural, you can let go of preconceived notions of who you’re supposed to be and what you’re supposed to do.
Is this a bad thing? Does it make you a less productive person?
Well, free will doesn’t make sense as a concept, so it’s really not up to you to choose to be productive or not. It’s the universe’s choice.
You are an awareness watching life unfold. That is a more elegant idea than being trapped in your head.
So let yourself be truly free: Choose natural will.
Regards,
Jesse