I was having a conversation today that got me thinking. Well no, that's not entirely true. It was the combination of the conversation and my writing at the same time that got me thinking - but either way, the topic stuck in my mind.
Which is ultimately better, free will or control?
Is it better raise a child to believe that anything is possible, that he or she can achieve anything regardless of talent or ability or any other external factor and have them introduced to the wonderful world of failure. Or is it better to be sheltered from failure and raised to be cynical and without dreams and ambitions.
While I can see the advantages of living a life never knowing failure, is it really considered a success if you never try anything. I personally would rather try and fail than never try. If nobody ever had dreams or goals or aims them what would we have to show for all the many millennium that the human race has walked on earth.
Sure there are the silver gilded few that seem to achieve more while exerting less effort, and yes there are those that fall at the other end of the spectrum that can give everything that they have while getting nothing to show for it. But in general there is a middle ground. We all have it in us to achieve something.
Maybe middle ground is the way to go. Someone whose life is controlled will revolt eventually - there are enough examples from history to show us that. And complete free will can lead to heart breaking failure and disappointment. Somewhere in between perhaps is the best course of action.
Or, maybe there is no one method that can be employed. Every person is different and every difference effects how the world and all that's in it is viewed - that includes how we react to success and failure. What works for one...
Myself, I will continue to have hopes and dreams. If there is no point to the future, what is the point to life in the first place.
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