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%TIMELESS DECISIONS' EFFECTS 790119
We usually perceive decisions as made at a given time
and having effects upon events following that time. A
decision is an event, a cause, which can have effects upon
what follows. We do not usually regard decisions as
having the power to effect what preceded. The flow of
cause and effect is perceived to be one way. Our present
perceptions are not regarded as having any influence upon
past events and decisions. Thus our perceptions of the
consequences of past decisions can not be the basis for
retro-effective modifications of those decisions. The
best we can do within this traditional perceptual frame-
work is to consider present conditions, anticipated
conditions, and make present decisions in terms of them;
thus dealing realistically with the existing consequences
of past decisions and their effects. To thus accept past
decisions, effects as realities---is not the same as
accepting the decisions in the sense of affirming those
decisions as wise, good, "acceptable", etc. The decisions
may be regretted, criticized, lamented, etc. while still
accepting their reality and the reality of the
consequences of the decisions.
Perceptions and attitudes change dramatically if time
is not experienced as a one-way flow from past to present
to future. If time is perceived as an eternal now in which
events of different times may be present to each other---
then all that has been said above is open to question. In
an eternal now people in different times may relate to
each other and influence each other's decisions. They may
expect each other to be responsive to each other's needs,
and resent failures to be responsive in appropriate ways.
Jill may resent that Jack did not change his mind two
decades ago in response to her needs of today, for Jack of
two decades ago is present in the eternal now which
includes the present---and may be expected to be
responsive to Jill's present needs. If Jack is perceived
as very powerful, the resentment on Jill's part is likely
to be all the greater, for failure to be responsive is all
the less justified. Jack and Jill are thus likely to have
severe misunderstandings if they do not live in the same
kind of time. People who find their meaning in the eternal
now of intimate relationships may thus play the role of
Jill with respect to people of scientific orientations who
may play the role of Jack.
(c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in
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