Continuing with philisophical questions-- When is a choice really a choice?

Question

Fate and destiny aside, of course. Because with fate, there are no choices. Even if the bible says 'you can go on the good path or the bad path' apparently God is all-knowing, and will know what you are to do in any case.

Anyways, consider this: An African boy is in his "house" when it is raided by soldiers. They tell him he can *choose* to come with them and become a soldier and they will let his family live, or he can *choose* not to and his family will die.
Is this really a choice?
What do you think?

I think that it isn't, because there is only one realistic option assuming the boy loves his family. Yes, he can CHOOSE either way, but he won't. I think a "choice situation" is one where there are at least two feasable, reasonable options. Instead of, "you can chose to eat this popsicle or not" it would be "you can have this popsicle, or this icecream, or nothing". There are at least two options there that would allow a person to make a decision based on their preferences, timing, and what is "right", not because if they don't there will be a consequence such as not having one at all.

Another example: A prison guard tells a prisoner that he can squat and cough or not squat and cough and be sprayed with mace and be forced to squat and cough. Is there REALLY a choice here? If the prisoner has any sort of reasonable mind, he will squat and cough.

The reason I ask this is because most adults say these sorts of things. They give two "choices" both of which are unpleasent, and say, "this is YOUR choice, Susan. I am not telling you what to do, YOU are deciding for yourself. Clean your room or don't and get your allowance taken away."

What do you think?

Answer 1

I think the way the word "choice" in those scenarios would better be expressed with the word "ultimatum." You're right, those aren't choices at all. They're a life or death reaction. There is only one clear and logical way to go with those situations. So, therefore, I agree. Those shouldn't be classified as "choices," because choices are free reign decisions.

Answer 2

Because these scenarios insinuate rationality in the subject being asked, they cannot be considered feasible when asked what is a choice and what is not. Actually, both of these scenarios require a choice. A choice has nothing to do with rationality. You are simply making the choice. A choice doesn't need to be rational. It's always JUST a choice. The consequences are simply what makes the decision easier.

Answer 3

In all technicality it still is a choice. Even if the outcomes went to reasonable the essentialness is that there is still a decision to be made

Answer 4

nicely, have you ever incredibly concept approximately it ... essentially...and heavily I even have selections are neat and if youre paying interest you are able to experience the shift of each and every selection you're making we've selections we make without even determining thats what we are doing selections reason and impact selections consequences purely by way of fact the shortest distance between 2 factors is a at recent line doesnt mean that each and every soul will return and forth to their "destiny/destiny" in this form too many persons desire to stop and scent the roses alongside the way regardless of each and every thing ...its our existence to adventure the capability of unfastened will selections the capability of reason and impact at the back of selections the capability at the back of the outcomes a decision is truthfully a decision the question is are you as careful and careful with the techniques you're making understanding each and every selection comes with its own reason/impact

Answer 5

When you actually have time to contemplate.