Free Acts of Preference
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Every being on this planet had certain preferences and desires. Along these same lines, every being wants to have those preferences and desires fulfilled. Given a choice, anyone will choose their wants and desires over any other alternatives. If all of the barriers and restrictions were to be taken away from a given choice, making it a free act, then that individual would always choose what they prefer most. Therefore, it is impossible for a free act to go against ones strongest desires or preferences.
If an act is truly free, then it must have no restrictions, confinements, or other restraints governing it. The acts that a being chooses to engage in will be in accordance with the preferences or desires of that being. Therefore, if an act of a being is free, then it will agree and follow along with the strongest desires and preferences of that being. In other words, it is impossible for a free act of a being to go against the strongest desires and preferences of that being. Looking at this argument closely, we can see that it is deductively valid. If an act is free, then it will have absolutely no bounds or governing factors. Also, a being will make decisions based on their desires and beliefs. Thus, if an act is free, then it must coincide with an individual’s wants and inclinations.
The central basis to this argument is the idea of a free act, with the key word being free. The meaning behind this word free is essential to comprehend and truly understand. To be truly free an act must not be held back or retained in any way. It cannot be controlled or influenced by any other force, nor can any of the conditions of that act be restricted. Thus, if something were to be limited, even in the slightest way, it would not be free. There are many understandings or interpretations of freedom, and some may even consider certain restricted acts as free, but this is incorrect. It is wrong to think that something which is held back or controlled in even the most minor way is really free. By definition, it is not. In our modern world, there are extremely few, if any, truly free acts. Thus, when we consider a genuinely free act, we must consider one which has no barriers or obstructions.
Every decision a being makes in this world goes along with that being’s desires. While there are many factors in our modern world which often restrict such decisions and desires this does not take away from that fact that those desires exist. Human beings are naturally rational and self-interested, and they will therefore make decisions based on this self-interest. Each and every one of us strives to achieve what we truly and deeply want.
Certain cases exist where it seems as if an individual is choosing something against their wishes. Take Tim, for instance, who chooses to eat less appetizing vegetables rather than the delicious cakes and deserts he’d really like to eat. This appears to be a decision against Tim’s preferences. Looking closer, however, this choice actually agrees with his desires. While the deserts may taste better, they are very unhealthy and can lead to health problems, whereas the vegetables provide beneficial nutrients and are very healthy to eat regularly. Tim knows this,