What is choice?
dfrankiswork at netscape.net
dfrankiswork at netscape.net
Tue Mar 5 23:53:41 UTC 2002
I have a question about choice, in real life and in literature. It arises out of something Elkins said on the main list, to the effect that she would be less impressed by Snape if he had always disliked or disagreed underneath with the Death Eaters.
How does choice work? If there is an element of causation to choice, in what sense is it choice? If not, in what sense is it not random?
So if Snape (but this really isn't a HP issue - name any fictional character with a bit of depth) left Death Eaterism because there was a bit of good still struggling to come out then his good side was winning out and always (but for circumstance) would do - but if it was because it was Monday and so he had changed his mind is that human?
I realise I am posing two extremes, but I think the in-between is just loaded dice - the more they are loaded the less choice there is, the less they are loaded, the less meaning there is.
In short, choices are neither random nor caused - but what other alternative is there?
Incidentally, if anyone wishes to use the word 'existential' in any part of their reply to this, please do so, but only on condition that they explain what it means.
David, who has spent many hours wondering why he does things, and, if there is a reason, does that make him not accountable
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