Freedom of Perception

By: Maksym Ptakh

Existentialism is a philosophy that puts emphasis on the freedom of choice that develops

our own individual existence. Although the term came into use only in the late 19th century, its

concepts and ideas have been present in the works of ancient philosophers of the Chinese,

Roman, and Greek civilizations. This essay will focus on the belief that our lives are only

perceptions and that our existence is the only thing that has proof of existence. Logic is used to

demonstrate the existence of free will through the means of philosophical research and biological

instincts. In the topic of metaphysics, the existence of God is discussed in great detail to illustrate

God as a subject of our thoughts. Aesthetic philosophy is also explored, explaining the

importance of art to society. Ethical and moral values mainly focus on the individual, as society

is considered an outside source of less importance. Finally, epistemology talks about the pursuit

of happiness and pleasures through self-knowledge, as well as the pain that comes with it. The

objective of this essay is to prove and provide insight into the existence of free will and

attainment of meaning. Human beings have the power of rational thought, enabling us to make

decisions that favor our own development.

I. Logical Deductions

Numerous philosophers attempt to explain our existence and the meaning for our

existence. Many question whe

; I k g, f I (15) I d ,b k,

exist. Without existing, the process of producing thoughts and feelings would not be possible.

However, this only approves of the existence of oneself, without looking at whether other people

exist or not. To know for sure that something else exists, a person would have to somehow
 Ptakh 2

confirm that the thing is able to think. As we are unable to delve into the minds of other people,

we have no proof of their existence. This suggests that we can only know that we exist and

nothing else. Whether everything else is a dream or actually exists, humans cannot find out. For

example, if I see an apple I think it exists, but I only think it. The only validation of its existence

is my own perception. Thus, everything in life is a perception except for the human psyche. In a

sense, life is the human psyche.

The existence of free will is questioned by many people. Most existential philosophers

usually tend to believe that humans have the power of free will. Jean-Paul Sartre, a key figure in

existential philosophy, confirms this; M d d b f C d d, b dd

not create himself, yet is nevertheless at liberty, and from the moment that he is thrown into this

d b f v g d (E H 17). He believes

that human beings are completely after being born into the world. Thus, the only act that a

person has no control over is his or her birth. We do not choose to be born into this world, but we

have the ability to adapt to this environment. Viktor Frankl believed that Ev g b

taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms d

gv f , (Man's Search for Meaning 54). As the

world around us is only a perception of the real world, we are free to decide how to react to it.

T b v b f b f g H d

not react primarily on instinct as animals would, as they are able to think situations through both

subjectively and objectively. Most animals are limited and controlled by instinct, removing any

possibility of free will. Moreover, if they are educated by human beings they can begin to go

against this instinct and develop free will. Fundamentally, human beings are even able to change

how they perceive the world, which is the most important freedom to have.
 Ptakh 3

Humans cannot perceive something perfect, as perfection only exists in the mind. A

person might be thinking of a perfect circle, but when he or she attempts to draw it in the

physical world, it is not perfect. Thus, thoughts are perfect and perceptions are imperfect. This

v g d g b f , f

These ideas of perfection are d P A g f C v , P

explain that our perceptions are only shadows of our thoughts. In his writing, he calls this

concept the idea of the Forms. It is established that life is a perception, which is why the

existence of God is also a perception. It is believed that God is a perfect being, unlike humans.

Imperfect humans cannot create a perfect God in their minds, which is why many believe that

God created humans and is omnipotent. However, this is untrue and easily disproven by the

omnipotence paradox. The easiest and most classic example of the paradox is found in the

following question: Can an omnipotent being create a stone so heavy that it cannot lift it? If the

answer is yes: the being's power is limited and cannot be omnipotent, because it is unable to lift

the stone. If the answer is no: the being's power is limited and cannot be omnipotent, because it

is unable to create the stone. Therefore, it is clearly seen that God becomes imperfect and is

vulnerab f b S v g f , G d

cannot be proven.

II. Metaphysics

The existence of God is one of the most highly debated topics in the existentialist school

of thought. Numerous different theories in different philosophies are used to prove God's

existence, while other theories attempt to disprove it. Ever since the concepts of religion and

science existed, the two parties were constantly clashing between each other. It does not matter

which one is correct, because humans will always be limited by their power of perception. In the
 Ptakh 4

name of their religion, humans started wars and caused mass genocides world-wide. Friedrich

N z d G d d d(The Gay Science 120). He believed that the actions of humans

have gone against any moral values the religion stood for in the first place. T

k (King James Version, Exodus 20.13) is a quote from the bible that most people are familiar

with. However, even though it is one of the Ten Commandments, it is often ignored and

misinterpreted to satisfy the needs of men. In the dark ages, people who opposed the Roman

Catholic Church would be marked as heretics and executed for having a different opinion.

Mankind has given itself the ability to justify the killing of other people, going against the

teachings of the bible. T , d v ff the ruins of other societies. Since the

original teachings are forgotten, meanings become distorted and it becomes unclear what God

really is. In some situations, God becomes a target for blame for suffering people, while for

others, He becomes a beacon of hope.

In all situations, there is one aspect that remains present at all times; God has no impact

on the outside world. Although the existence of God has no significance on the physical world, it

has a great importance on the metaphysical world. The only impact God has is on the human

values of morality and hopes. Whether a person prays or not, nothing changes in the physical

world. Therefore, pr f d f d

Essentially, hope is what keeps a person alive. No matter the extremity of a situation, the wish

f b f v f I d , g f rimary sources

for such hopes. Primarily, this is seen in the existence of Heaven in the Christian faith. The hope

for a better life after death causes people to abide by the new religious moral values. Moreover,

in many cases it even obstructs the fear of death.

Ultimately, God is what we make him out to be. The religious way to answer to an
 Ptakh 5

existential question would be to bring up the existence of God. Meanwhile, science attempts to

answer these questions by utilizing logic without relying on an all-powerful figurehead. In both

cases we do not have the ability to tell whether they are correct or not, but science is always

evolving. While our perception of religion does not change significantly, our perception of

science adapts and continues to develop. Thus, there is a higher possibility that science will be

closer to the truth when facing existential questions about our universe. Nevertheless, these are

all only perceptions, which is why finding the ultimate truth would be impossible for human

beings and pursuing either of the concepts is essentially meaningless.

In spite of this meaninglessness, there is still a possibility for the evolution of mankind.

Evolution is the process by which organisms develop and diversify from earlier forms in

response to a change in the world around them. As stated earlier, religion remains stagnant as

science continues to evolve. Therefore, following a concept that does not change hinders

evolution. Following an idea that is constantly developing, on the other hand, would favor the

f v S , , f f v Even Charles

Darwin, a major contributor to the evolutionary theory, agrees; Freedom of thought is best

db g d f ds which follows from the advance of

(L E B Av g) Thus, there is only one way humanity can evolve; which is

living, without relying on deities and relying only on oneself and science. Of course, a radical

abolishment of religion would achieve the exact opposite result. If people were forced to

abandon their primary source of hope, civil warfare would ensue between believers and non-

believers. It would be a dark period of existential angst in which people would lose their

meaning to live, as well as their hope. That is why, to evolve, a casual reform is needed, in which

no one is forced into any belief and one freely chooses his or her own path. Unfortunately, such a
 Ptakh 6

reform is practically impossible due to the amount of religious people in the world. However, if

it is achieved, and if the population freely decides to reject the beliefs of an all-powerful deity,

majority of the religious boundaries would be removed. With reduced contempt in the world,

humans would be able to unite and construct a better future.

III. Aesthetics

A v f f f

perceptions. Aesthetics focuses on this exact importance of art. It is even possible to say that

everything created by humans is a work of art because it is a product of our own imagination.

Buildings, books, and video games can be considered as works of art. Furthermore, with great

advancements in technology, people are now able to create their own works with ease and

without being judged for it like in the ancient times. People are free to express their inner wishes

and desires. Since the physical world around us is only a perception, it has as much proof of

existence as art does. We cannot prove that the world around us is a reality; therefore dreams are

as real as the physical world. Many artists rely on dreams for inspiration in their work, thus

k f b d df k T N z d : A

artistic sensibility relates to the reality of dream in the same way as a philosopher relates to the

reality of existence: he attends to it closely and with pleasure, using these images to interpret life,

d gf f f v (The Birth of Tragedy and Other Works 15).

A b d f d g f F g b

meaning of life, as well as their expression of their freedom. It has no physical boundaries that

are found in the physical world. Its only boundaries are the imagination of the human mind and

that is why art is imperfect. As discussed earlier in this essay, humans are unable to reproduce

d F d N v , f
 Ptakh 7

what make them entertaining in the first place.

IV. Ethics

Morality and ethics differ throughout different cultures and societies, constantly changing

with time. It is also a part of the human perception and thus is defined by human beings.

Objectively speaking, morality and ethics are non-existent in the physical world and only exist in

the minds of humans. If we assume that there is a right and wrong, what are they? Immanuel

Kant proposes that a morally correct act is one that arises from universal principles discovered

by reas H d Act only in accordance with that maxim through

which you can at the same time will b v (Kant 37). This concept is

called the categorical imperative and is the foundation for morally correct decisions. This implies

that there must be universal principles defining what is right and wrong. Since morality is

defined by human perception, I disagree with this theory.

As humans decide what is right and wrong, it is up to the individual to figure out which

of his or her actions contain moral value. This means that if a human believes a decision to be

g , g H v ,d k ng? No, it does not. Since

v also created by a majority of individuals, they cannot be ignored.

However, they should have a lesser impact on the individual, since the minds of the people

around the individual are still outsiders. There are three different moralities, each having a lesser

value on the individual as it distances away from his or her mind; individual morality, collective

morality, and objective morality. In the individual morality, the person considers his or her own

wishes and fears. In the collective morality, the opinions and moral values of the majority of

society are considered by the person. Finally, in the objective morality, the person contemplates

the advantages and disadvantages of a situation objectively. Think of it as a point system, where
 Ptakh 8

points are the moral value. Individual morality scores three points, collective morality scores two

points, and objective morality scores one point. Whichever decision gains the most points is the

right decision. It can be seen that the value decreases as it has a lower effect on an individual. If a

decision is favored by both the collective and objective morality and is disfavored by individual

morality, then there exist two right decisions. Take this case as an example: a k k

wife who the man loved dearly. In Decision A, the man kills the killer and denies any allegations.

In Decision B, the man kills the killer, but confesses to the crime. In Decision C, the man lets the

police handle the search and capture of the killer.

Morality Decision A Decision B Decision C

Individual 0 3 0

Collective 0 0 2

Objective 0 0 1

Correct Decision 0 3 3

Objectively speaking, there are no significant disadvantages by letting the law handle it.

Majority of the population would state that letting the law handle it would be the best option as

well. Thus, in this situation there are two right decisions and one wrong one. Therefore, the most

dvd v This theory renders universal justice useless,

as justice depends on moral values as well.

V. Epistemology

It is believed by many philosophers that self-knowledge is the most important thing in

life. To achieve happiness one must pursue self-knowledge and question his or her own existence.

As life is only a perception, self-knowledge is the only aspect of a human being that remains true.
 Ptakh 9

Any other knowledge is uncertain and cannot be proven to exist. Socrates is one of the first

philosophers that sought virtue in existential analysis. He d d f

v g(Plato 25). Even though self-examination has advantages, it also has disadvantages

towards the individual if not used correctly. Some individuals, instead of examining themselves

for self-improvement, analyze their faults and decide to do nothing. Seeing these faults, they do

not want to accept them or improve them. They decide to only notice the worst parts of

themselves without looking at the good. This causes the individual to fall into an existential

vacuum. This can be treated with Socratic dialogue by guiding an individual to re-examine

themselves in a different light.

Pleasures are natural occurrences in the lives of everyday people and are natural human

emotions. Pain is also a natural human emotion experienced by many people as well. Stoicism

suggests that pleasure and pain need to be suppressed no matter the situation. The person must be

in full control of his or her emotions at all times and be able to make tough moral decisions

without wavering. Marcus Aurelius, a Roman emperor, made a great contribution towards

Stoicism in his books of Meditations. Stoics believed that pleasure and pain were not virtuous, as

virtue is only obtained through knowledge and reason. Therefore, human emotions are discarded

as something that is not needed to live. Epicureanism, in contrast, suggests that pleasures should

be sought after to avoid pain. The ultimate pleasure in this philosophy is the freedom of anxiety

and mental pain arising from the fear of death and gods. Both of these theories have some correct

aspects and some wrong aspects. Although pain should be avoided, it is a natural emotion and

must be experienced regularly. Pain and pleasure are bipolar opposites and must define each

other. Avoiding one or the other would cause for the other to disappear as well. That is why no

pleasure can be found in the freedom from pain, as it would eventually bring boredom. Seeking
 Ptakh 10

pleasure in life is correct as long as it does not cause pain to other human beings. Aristotle

; The pleasure proper to a worthy activity is good and that proper

v b d(170) Of course, feelings must be controlled to an extent that

does not hinder the individual morality.

Our lives are constantly evolving and adapting in response to the progress of technology.

Since life is constantly changing, that would mean that the meaning in life should be changing in

response. The meaning of life depends on life itself because they co-create each other. Frankl

proposes that Whatever we have to go through, life must have ultimate meaning, a supra-

meaning. This supra- g d, v f (Recollections:

An Autobiography 57). He believed that life must have meaning we cannot comprehend and that

we must find our own meanings in life. Sartre suggested that we must find our own meaning in

g d d T ; M

(Being and Nothingness: A Phenomenological Essay on Ontology 615). Unlike Frankl, Sartre is

correct. Frankl supposed that the existential vacuum is a psychological condition in which the

patient sees his or her life as meaningless. In his opinion, logo-therapy must be used to help

guide the patient towards finding their own meaning in life. However, there is meaning in the

feeling of meaninglessness. The patient must find this meaning by themselves with no outside

guidance. Only then can this meaning be considered authentic and without the contamination of

other minds. As the meaning of life constantly changes, so does the perception of meaningfulness

and meaninglessness. These views alternate between each other until death.

Humanity is free to decide its own fate. Logic is able to disprove the perfectness of a

God-like entity through simple, rational thought. Through metaphysics, we can see why God is

important for society, as well as why we should not fear such a deity. The significance of art is
 Ptakh 11

seen in the section of aesthetics, proving that this work can also be considered a work of art.

Individual ethics are explored by looking at tables and explanations through three different types

of moralities. The meaninglessness and meaningfulness of the pursuit of happiness is also

perceived through the eyes of a patient enveloped in the existential vacuum. These theories are

highly based on the perception of the physical world. Maybe someday humanity will evolve to

the point where we will not be limited by mere perceptions, and see the world for what it really is.
 Ptakh 12

Works Cited

Aristotle. Nicomachean Ethics. Trans. William David Ross. Kitchener: Batoche, 1999. Print.

Darwin, Charles Robert. "To E. B. Aveling." Letter to E. B. Aveling. 13 Oct. 1880. MS. Downe,

Beckenham, Kent.

, . Discourse on the Method of Rightly Conducting Ones Reason and Seeking

Truth in the Sciences. Trans. Jonathan Bennett. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Early Modern Texts. Early

Modern Texts. <http://www.earlymoderntexts.com/assets/pdfs/descartes1637.pdf>.

Frankl, Viktor. Man's Search for Meaning. Boston: Beacon, 2006. Print.

Frankl, Viktor. Recollections: An Autobiography. Cambridge: Basic, 2000. Print.

Kant, Immanuel. Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals. Trans. Allen W. Wood. New Haven:

Yale UP, 2002. Print.

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm. The Birth of Tragedy and Other Writings. Ed. Raymond Geuss

and Ronald Speirs. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1999. Print.

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm. The Gay Science. Ed. Bernard Williams. Trans. Josefine

Nauckhoff and Adrian Del Caro. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2001. Print.

Plato. Plato: The Apology of Socrates. Trans. Harold N. Fowler. Ed. E. E. Garvin. N.p.: n.p., n.d.

University of Alberta. University of Alberta. Web. 10 June 2016.

<https://www.ualberta.ca/~egarvin/assets/plato-apology.pdf>.

Sartre, Jean-Paul. Being and Nothingness: A Phenomenological Essay on Ontology. Trans. Hazel

Estella Barnes. New York: Washington Square, 1992. Print.

Sartre, Jean-P E H C bM ,P 29 O b 1945

Lecture.

The Bible: King James Version. Glasgow: Collins, 2008. Print.