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%IMPRISONED WITHOUT ALTERNATIVES COMMON 800824
People who are unaware of many alternatives are in
prison. They are not free to make choices. If only one
course of action seems open, no choice can be made.
Freedom is enhanced by awareness of alternatives. Some
people are not free because they are unaware of the
alternatives which are open to them. Their freedom may be
enhanced by increasing the opportunities, the
alternatives, which are open to them, and by helping them
become aware of the full range of alternatives which are
open to them.
Some try to help people by narrowing the range of
alternatives which are open. They feel that the problem is
too much freedom, so the solution is the imposition of
requirements. Requirements narrow the range of
alternatives, presumably to just those which are
desirable. Through the operation of authority and power,
only "desirable" opportunities are offered. Thus the
reduction of freedom is regarded as helpful. There are
people who welcome such reduction of freedom. Not all
people want freedom and responsibility; they seek the
security of an authoritative system which limits the range
of their alternatives.
Some people enjoy playing the role of authority-
figure, just as other people enjoy playing the role of
obedient follower. If the followers give enough unchecked
power to the authority-figures---they are likely thereby
to corrupt the authority figures, and become the victims
of that corruption. The authority-figures may tend
towards extreme limitations of alternatives---to such an
extent that they occasion rebellion on the part of the
people whom they seek to help through paternalistic
guidance. There are great risks in symbiotic
relationships between authoritatively oriented people.
Healthy human relationships involves mutuality in
expanding the rage of alternatives, and in making
decisions regarding which alternatives are in the best
interest of all who will be affected by the decisions.
Unilateral narrowing of alternatives is not likely to be
healthy or helpful. Neither is a preoccupation with
expanding the range of alternatives to the point that the
focus is never upon making a wise decision. Mutuality,
honesty and grace in choosing from a reasonably wide range
of alternatives is most likely to be helpful.
(c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in
www.essayz.com Search for Integrity and Honesty
(On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy)
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