There
is a macro going around with this text:
Everything you do is based on the choices you make. It's not your parents, your past relationships, your job, the economy, the weather, an argument or your age that is to blame. You and only you are responsible for every decision and choice you make. Period.
And I
suppose it is, ultimately, simplistically true. You are the one who makes the choice
at the end of the day.
But
it got me to thinking. It ignores something - learning to make good choices is
exactly that. Something you learn.
And in most cases, it's something you learn from your parents, the people
around you, your relationships, society, and age-based wisdom that you
hopefully accumulate a bit.
It
ignores the fact that a kid with dumb or uncaring parents, apathetic teachers,
and a corrupt community will have a devil of a time learning how to make good
choices.
In
fact, that poor bastard might grow up without realizing that some of those
options, those choices are even available.
It
also ignores the fact that it is fairly well documented that our environment,
including the weather, has a noticeable impact on our ability to make decisions
and the types of decision we will make.
It is
pretty well known that there are countless factors that affect our ability to
make decisions. Weather, the people around us, media we are exposed to (it’s
called advertising, it’s a thing), biological and psychological alterations,
etc and so forth.
It
ignores the fact that while we are, theoretically, creatures of rational
thought and will, we are still also creatures
of instinct and reaction. The person who commits cold blooded murder is
responsible for that choice. That person killed with malice aforethought. However,
the person who commits manslaughter may not be responsible for that action (to
the same degree). He may have encountered a situation where his instincts
kicked in. And I guarantee many who share this macro would cheer that guy on if
his instinct leads him to stop a heinous crime instead of performing one – in fact,
they’ll be like “that’s what any decent person would’ve done”, while ignoring
the fact that if he had stopped to make a conscious choice, there is a good
chance he would not have acted.
That’s
one of the reasons courts take intent into account. Because sometimes we do
thing we don’t intend to do. Now, that doesn’t absolve us of responsibility for
those actions, but it acknowledges that perhaps we weren’t in 100% control at the time.
As I
said, it is simplistically true. A little macro people can pass around while
cheering themselves on for (supposedly) taking responsibility for all of their
own actions (which I guarantee that haven’t done with 100% consistency). It’s
also the kind of macro that will find traction among some mindsets who, whether
they admit it or not, are firm holders of the “Fuck you, got mine” philosophy.
But
it’s an ignorant little macro. So if you see it, instead of cheerfully
supporting it without thinking, go ahead and use it as a springboard to think
about your life, and the lives of others. Use it to think about the choices you
have made, the choices that brought you to the place you currently are in life.
Use it to prompt a lil’ bit o’ self-reflection.
You
might be surprised by what you figure out.
Peace.
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