The Nature of Choice Examined
June, 2019
G.D.O'Bradovich III
Choice. The problem is choice.
Neo to the Great Architect
Neo to the Great Architect
introduction
Our enjoyment of Atlas Shrugged mainly consists in the wording, and the clarity of thought, that we lacked through our initial contact with the irrational. Like Miss Taggart, we slowly awoke to the fact that certain people are the source of evil, where incompetence is not synonymous with evil. We were always confused by people’s behavior, as we could not readily assign their actions to malevolent intentions. Through long and painful experiences, most notably being set up for failure, we are no longer hesitant to do so.
Our gratitude to Atlas Shrugged is not limited to various phrasings; for a contradiction always represents an incorrect assumption- check your premises. Otherwise said, both reasoning and proper conclusions are gifts that keeps on giving.
We are attracted to the humanist, all too humanist, premise that choice, individual choice, is the proper understanding of individuals' actions and. although we have repeatedly expressed our dislike for responsibility, we like accountability. Yet, even with little thought, it can be confidently concluded that certain elements are outside of and anterior to any human choices, that is, causality exists. Therefore, as we entertain a conclusion that has at least one contradiction, we have enlisted a certain “program, one of the oldest” to assist us in acquiring a proper understanding both of choice and of causality and their correct application to the sphere of human activity.
Our gratitude to Atlas Shrugged is not limited to various phrasings; for a contradiction always represents an incorrect assumption- check your premises. Otherwise said, both reasoning and proper conclusions are gifts that keeps on giving.
We are attracted to the humanist, all too humanist, premise that choice, individual choice, is the proper understanding of individuals' actions and. although we have repeatedly expressed our dislike for responsibility, we like accountability. Yet, even with little thought, it can be confidently concluded that certain elements are outside of and anterior to any human choices, that is, causality exists. Therefore, as we entertain a conclusion that has at least one contradiction, we have enlisted a certain “program, one of the oldest” to assist us in acquiring a proper understanding both of choice and of causality and their correct application to the sphere of human activity.
part the first
Neo, Trinity, and Morpheus encounter the Merovingian at the restaurant, Le Vrai.
Merovingian: Something to eat? Drink? Hmm... of course, such things are contrivances like so much here. For the sake of appearances.
“Contrivance” is “a device, especially in literary or artistic composition, which gives a sense of artificiality” or “the use of skill to bring something about or create something”.
“Appearance tyrannizes over truth and is the lord of happiness” The Republic
“Appearance tyrannizes over truth and is the lord of happiness” The Republic
Neo: No, thank you.
Merovingian: Yes, of course, who has time? But then if we do not ever take time, how can we ever have time? I love it [the French language].
The Merovingian correctly uses the word “love”, in the context of “enjoy”.
Morpheus: You know why we are here.
Merovingian: Hmph... I am a trafficker of information, I know everything I can. The question is, do you know why you are here?
An implication from the state that the Merovingians knows everything he can is that other programs and people are not motivated to know. This aspect of the Merovingian’s personality separates him from others.
Morpheus: We are looking for the Keymaker.
Merovingian: Oh yes, it is true. But this is not a reason, this is not a `why.'
From the context, the response of “it is true” applies to group “looking for the Keymaker”. However, in a less precise understanding, “it is true” can mean that the Merovingian has the Keymaker.
Merovingian: The Keymaker himself, his very nature, is a means, it is not an end, and so, to look for him is to be looking for a means to do... what?
A “means” is “an action by which a result is brought about; a method”.
Neo: You know the answer to that question.
Merovingian: But do you? You think you do, but you do not.
The Merovingian response consists of three uses of “you”. We cannot know it this “you” refers to Neo, to the group, or a combination of both. The Merovingian states that they do not know the answer, that they are mistaken.
Merovingian: You were told to come here and then you obeyed. It is, of course, the way of all things.
You see, there is only one constant, one universal, it is the only real truth: causality. Action. Reaction. Cause and effect.
The Merovingian states there is only one “real truth” and the primary definition of caulsity is “the relationship between cause and effect” and the second definition is “the principle that everything has a cause”.
Morpheus: Everything begins with choice.
Merovingian: No. Wrong.
It is obvious that Morpheus is mistaken, everything cannot begin with choice. All examples from Nature are accidental and exclude choice, unless one argues that the wind programs choose to level poorly rooted trees and the wave programs choose to reduce rocks to sand. Therefore, Morpheus is incorrect in using the term “everything”. We leave the natural world for the world of man, for the terms of “choice” and “free will”.
Merovingian: Choice is an illusion, created between those with power, and those without.
The Merovingian accepts that choice exists and explains that choice is an illusion or “a thing that is or is likely to be wrongly perceived or interpreted by the senses.”
part the second
Our favorite example of choice: offering a child the choice between wearing a blue jacket or a green jacket. Because the illusion of “choice” exists, the child will choose a jacket, although we concede that not wearing a jacket is an unstated option. Those individuals inexperienced in asking questions, or dealing with children, may offer the choice between wearing a jacket or not wearing a jacket. However, the child will always choose “No jacket”, regardless of the severity of the weather.
The typical consumer sees shelves of groceries with themes and variations of sizes and flavors for breakfast cereals. The typical consumer sees “choices” brought to said consumer by the one corporation that has the resources to fills the shelves with enticing themes and tempting varieties. Regardless of which product the “empowered” consumer chooses, the parent company benefits.
In the Garden of Delights, the result from choosing to eat the forbidden fruit according to the Lord God was death. However, the cunning serpent offered the woman more options than the Lord God: Adam and the woman will not “surely die”, “their eyes will be opened”, and they shall be as Gods “knowing good and evil”. Of course, we know that the talking, walking serpent was successful due entirely to offering more options than the Lord God. Of course, death is an option to be avoided, provided that one could understand what something is without having any knowledge of it or experiencing it.
Our final example of offering choices and the resultant success associated with choice is the False Prophet from the Revelation of Jesus Christ [13:16, 17]. The inhabitants of the world can suffer death or choose to take [1] the name of the Beast, [2] the mark of the Beast, or [3] the number of his name. The discriminating consumer of the Apocalypse can choose to have options 1, 2 or 3 placed either in their right hand or their forehead. Therefore, we predict the False Prophet will be successful, not because Revelation is a prophetic book, but because he offers six possible choices for those who choose to live.
The typical consumer sees shelves of groceries with themes and variations of sizes and flavors for breakfast cereals. The typical consumer sees “choices” brought to said consumer by the one corporation that has the resources to fills the shelves with enticing themes and tempting varieties. Regardless of which product the “empowered” consumer chooses, the parent company benefits.
In the Garden of Delights, the result from choosing to eat the forbidden fruit according to the Lord God was death. However, the cunning serpent offered the woman more options than the Lord God: Adam and the woman will not “surely die”, “their eyes will be opened”, and they shall be as Gods “knowing good and evil”. Of course, we know that the talking, walking serpent was successful due entirely to offering more options than the Lord God. Of course, death is an option to be avoided, provided that one could understand what something is without having any knowledge of it or experiencing it.
Our final example of offering choices and the resultant success associated with choice is the False Prophet from the Revelation of Jesus Christ [13:16, 17]. The inhabitants of the world can suffer death or choose to take [1] the name of the Beast, [2] the mark of the Beast, or [3] the number of his name. The discriminating consumer of the Apocalypse can choose to have options 1, 2 or 3 placed either in their right hand or their forehead. Therefore, we predict the False Prophet will be successful, not because Revelation is a prophetic book, but because he offers six possible choices for those who choose to live.
[Name, Number, Mark] x [Hand, Forehead]=
3 items x 2 locations=
6 possibilities
part the third
Merovingian: Look there, at that woman... so obvious.
We suggest the Merovingian prefers subtly to obviousness, the esoteric to the exoteric, since, as a trafficker in information, what is obvious, generally speaking, has little or no value, as it is accessible to all, but what is “difficult to analyze or describe” may have an unseen and inherent value.
She does not understand why - is it the wine? No. What is it then, what is the reason? And soon it does not matter, soon the why and the reason are gone, and all that matters is the feeling itself. This is the nature of the universe. We struggle against it, we fight to deny it, but it is of course pretense, it is a lie. Beneath our poised appearance, the truth is we are completely out of control.
Causality. There is no escape from it, we are forever slaves to it. Our only hope, our only peace is to understand it, to understand the why.
'Why' is what separates us from them, you from me.
‘Why' is the only real social power, without it you are powerless. And this is how you come to me, without why,' without power. Another link in the chain.
The Merovingian expounds that 'why' is the only real "social power" and this statements compliments the concept that choice is an illusion between those with social power and those without social power. Between the exclusive restaurant, Le Vrai, and his chateau, the Frenchman is concerned about his appearance and social standing.
Merovingian: But fear not, since I have seen how good you are at following orders, I will tell you what to do next. Run back, and give the fortune teller this message: Her time is almost up. Now I have some real business to do, I will say adieu and goodbye.
Neo: This isn't over.
Merovingian: Oh yes, it is. The Keymaker is mine and I see no reason why I should give him up. No reason at all.
When reasoning fails, force prevails, otherwise said, justice is the interest of the stronger to the detriment of the weaker.
Persephone: Where are you going?
Merovingian: Please, ma cherie, I've told you, we are all victims of causality. I drink too much wine, I must take a piss. Cause and effect. Au revoir.
part the fourth
Merovingian: Oh God, my God, Persephone how could you do this, you betrayed me…
Persephone: Cause and effect, my love.
Merovingian: Cause? There is no cause for this [freeing the Keymaker], what cause?
Persephone: What cause? How about the lipstick you’re still wearing?
Merovingian: Lipstick? Lipstick? What craziness you are talking about woman, there is no lipstick.
Persephone: She wasn’t kissing your face, my love.
We learn that the “real business” that the Merovingian attended after leaving the trio consisted pf, at least in part, fellatio. Paradoxically, it seems that the only valid experiences in the illusion motivated program of the Matrix are feelings.
Merovingian: I'll tell you what I will do. Put down the guns, and I will promise you a safe passage out of here.
Seraph: All three of us?
Merovingian: Oh, yes, yes. Of course.
Although the Merovingian promises safe passage to “you”, Seraph could not know if the Merovingian was using the singular or the plural “you”- "it is always best to ask” for clarification.
Merovingian: Who could have guessed we would see each other so soon after our last meeting?The Fates are too kind, eh? I can only surmise that the fortuneteller has found herself another shell? Disappointing, but not unexpected.
Although the Merovingian mentions the Fates, we cannot be expected to seriously consider a program that expounds causality as believing in the Fates. Of course, mentioning a subject is not indicative of a belief. The Merovingian dismissively describes the Oracle, an intuitive program, as a "fortuneteller".
Merovingian: I do hope, however, she has the good manners to learn her lesson… and to remember that there is no action without consequence. And if you take something from me, you will pay the price.
Seraph: You know why we are here?
Merovingian: Come now, what kind of question is this? Of course I know. It is my business to know.
Some might think this is a strange coincidence, but I do not. I am curious, though, as to how it actually happened. Do you know?
Trinity: No.
Merovingian: No? I did not think so. But it is always best to ask, huh?
It is always best to ask than to accept a false, but possible, premise.
Merovingian: I told you before, there is no escaping the nature of the universe.
It is that nature that has again brought you to me.
Where some see coincidence, I see consequence.
Where others see chance… ...I see cost.
“It is known that while demons have free will, their wills are locked. They make a choice, and that’s it.” Fr. Chad Ripperger “says exorcists have actually asked demons if, given the opportunity to make their choice again – serve God or not – they would make a different one. They always say no. No matter the torments and sufferings they endure, for the angels, free will is predicated upon a perfect knowledge that we men cannot understand. They make a decision, and they never go back on it. It’s a hard thing to wrap your mind around.”
https://onepeterfive.com/its-a-runaway-train-and-the-devil-is-driving/
We can never see past the choices we don’t understand.
Oracle, Matrix Reloaded
No one can see beyond a choice they don’t understand, and I mean no one.
Oracle, Matrix Revolutions
conclusion
It is intriguing that exorcists and a science fiction franchise reach the same conclusion: free will is predicated on perfect knowledge and the lack of perfect knowledge results in the inability to see beyond choices that are not understood.
The Gentle Reader himself will determine the value of statements concerning demons and their freewill. We have included this quote not for any objective valuations, but for the view that demons have “perfect knowledge” and the corollary that men lack this knowledge.
While we look forward to chatting with demons, we cannot know if they are, in fact, demons. Whereas Apprentices are eager to accept statements from random supernatural entities such as “I am a demon.” or “I am an angel.” at face value, Occultists, if they be true Occultists, cannot know such statements are factual. We Occultists can only state that that an entity identified itself as a demon or angel, not that we know it is an angel or a demon. Of course, skeptics may suggest our invaluable relationship with Thoth, "Beaky" to his friends, is not what he seems. We offer that "Beaky" never identified himself to Yours Truly as anything other than stating his name: Thoth.
The Gentle Reader himself will determine the value of statements concerning demons and their freewill. We have included this quote not for any objective valuations, but for the view that demons have “perfect knowledge” and the corollary that men lack this knowledge.
While we look forward to chatting with demons, we cannot know if they are, in fact, demons. Whereas Apprentices are eager to accept statements from random supernatural entities such as “I am a demon.” or “I am an angel.” at face value, Occultists, if they be true Occultists, cannot know such statements are factual. We Occultists can only state that that an entity identified itself as a demon or angel, not that we know it is an angel or a demon. Of course, skeptics may suggest our invaluable relationship with Thoth, "Beaky" to his friends, is not what he seems. We offer that "Beaky" never identified himself to Yours Truly as anything other than stating his name: Thoth.
One in four alumni of foster care experience PTSD and more than half experience at least one mental health issue such as depression, social phobia or panic syndrome. Survivors of traumatic events, later diagnosed with PTSD, often experience problems in their intimate and future family relationships…and even can extend to their close friendships.
These problems could include, but are not limited to:
These problems could include, but are not limited to:
• Distancing or isolating self
• Lack of trust • Anger issues, lashing out • Blaming others • Nightmares (even “day” mares) • Severe abandonment anxiety • Abnormal anxiety • Fear as a natural state of living • Inability to show appreciation for others or even self • Physically hurting self and/or others • Sabotaging behaviors |
Only 2.5 percent of children who grow up in foster care graduate from a four-year college while fewer than 2 percent of youth formerly in foster care complete a bachelor's degree before the age of 25, compared with 24 percent of the general population.
https://www.fosterfocusmag.com/articles/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-not-just-soldiers-problem
https://www.fosterfocusmag.com/articles/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-not-just-soldiers-problem
If his was more than just a vague ambition,
if he [Truman] was absolutely determined to discover the truth,
there's no way we could prevent him.
Christof
if he [Truman] was absolutely determined to discover the truth,
there's no way we could prevent him.
Christof