Is it always better to have more choices, or does too much freedom lead to anxiety?

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Socreta93

Socreta93

Senior Member
Jul 28, 2015
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One of my favorite philosophers is Søren Kierkegaard. He wrote The Concept Of Anxiety where he calls anxiety "undisclosed fear". Kierkegaard uses the example of a man standing on the edge of a tall building or cliff. When the man looks over the edge, he experiences a focused fear of falling, but at the same time, the man feels a terrifying impulse to throw himself intentionally off the edge. That experience is anxiety or dread because of our complete freedom to choose to either throw oneself off or to stay put. The mere fact that one has the possibility and freedom to do something, even the most terrifying of possibilities, triggers immense feelings of dread. Kierkegaard called this our "dizziness of freedom."
 
Sorry, but jumping off anything more than one-foot tall is never a thought in my head. Fear of heights.
fearful-smiley-emoticon.gif
 
I would not even choose to look over the edge because it would not be the "too much freedom" that would cause anxiety, but rather the fear of slipping off. And never would I even come close to an impulse to throw myself off!

The only way that too much freedom might cause someone anxiety is if they were not emotionally balanced to handle it. And there could be many reasons for that.
 
Jesus came to free us.. does fear or anxiety come with that?

Fear and anxiety come from an unstable thought life, not freedom...
 
Speaking of being at the edge of a building.There was 2 people at the edge of a building,big moron,and little moron,and big moron fell off,why didn't little moron.Because he was a little moron.

And speaking of America they say they are a Christian nation,and then allow every religion to be practiced there,even Satanism,and the new age movement that believes Lucifer is the helper of this world,and occult religions,and worldliness,which
love not the world,or the things in the world,and fleshy pleasures,which against the soul,and the pursuit of money,which the love of money is the root of all evil for it neglects the poor and needy,which this generation shall devour the poor from off the earth,and the needy from men.

America dangles sin in front of people's faces,and then says we give you a choice,and then say it is the freedom of God to give you choice.

But if you claim to be a Christian nation the leaders should put forth His ways,and not allow anything contrary,and if the people sin then it is on them,but you do not dangle sin in front of their face,and intentionally allow things that God is against,and then say it is freedom,which lets us know America is not a Christian nation,she is like Babylon,anything goes multiculturism.

In the case of America too much freedom is not good for then they allow all the false religions to be practiced,and many things that ensnare people,while they say it is freedom.

Drink alcohol,or do not,look at pornography,or do not,watch violent movies,or do not,go to the bar,or do not,pursue money to a ludicrous degree,or do not,have an arrogant attitude,and boast all the day long,or do not,get piercings,and tattoos,or do not,believe the Bible and accept Jesus,or do not,have sex without being married,or homosexual sex,or do not.

The freedom in the world ensnares some people,for in order for there to be freedom they have to allow a system like America,and give them choices,but many are bad choices,but they say it is freedom,and not bad if that is what they want.

The freedom of Jesus is only focused on Jesus and His promises,but the freedom of the world allows the good and the bad,and take a choice,or else there cannot be true freedom in the world.

But of course the freedom in the world would have its limits too so that people get along,and do not hurt each other,so they have to put a stop to that,and not let it slide and say freedom,but all the sins that do not directly hurt they have to allow for there to be true freedom.

But the bad things in America that they allow do hurt some people.

So too much freedom in the world such as America can ensnare some people,and put stumbling blocks in front of some people,but in the world there still cannot be freedom in totality for they stop people sinning against other people.

The world can never have true freedom according to their ways,for they will be stopped by some people if they war against people,for other people will not allow them that freedom,or stealing,for other people will not allow them that freedom,or raping,for other people will not allow that freedom,and God will not allow them that freedom either,but they will be judged for not repenting,and turning to God.

But the freedom in Jesus is complete,for they are led of the Spirit,and act Christlike.
 
satanic 'fear' is the ruler of this old world...just look/read what he has done...
and what we have done, before 'DELIVERANCE'...

Thank You Jesus, for calling and electing, else what would be a real reason to live here???
'the HOPE' that we know You have shared with us who 'believe in You'...
(our FAITH/BELIEF in YOU and YOU alone!!!)
 
Socreta93 said:
One of my favorite philosophers is Søren Kierkegaard. He wrote The Concept Of Anxiety where he calls anxiety "undisclosed fear". Kierkegaard uses the example of a man standing on the edge of a tall building or cliff. When the man looks over the edge, he experiences a focused fear of falling, but at the same time, the man feels a terrifying impulse to throw himself intentionally off the edge. That experience is anxiety or dread because of our complete freedom to choose to either throw oneself off or to stay put. The mere fact that one has the possibility and freedom to do something, even the most terrifying of possibilities, triggers immense feelings of dread. Kierkegaard called this our "dizziness of freedom."
Click to expand...


Yeah... ummm... I've never had the urge to throw myself off a building.

And regarding the topic; as a general rule I think if you are focused, and you know who you are and what you're doing, you have much less tendency to experience the "dizziness of freedom".

I think anxiety has less to do with number of choices and more to do with your determination to actually focus and make choices.
There are a number of ways this appears in scripture, but the Bible talks much about keeping our focus and mind on God, above all else, and THEREBY having calm and peace and ability to make good decisions.
 
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It has been a long time since I used an xkcd in a thread. Okay it hasn't been that long, but this thread needs an xkcd.

freedom.png

"Sometimes I'm terrified to think of how many options the people around me have..."
 
The anxiety comes if you think all options have equal value. For example, if I decide to adopt a dog, and I think all breeds are equal- I may experience anxiety. Too many choices and they are all the same. If I think beagles are superior options, there is no anxiety as I think one option is superior to others.

Another way I may have anxiety is if I think there is a superior option- but I do not know which option that may be. I may choose an inferior option and miss the superior by inability to recognize the superior. If I think there is a superior breed of dog, but I don’t know which is superior, I may panic and have anxiety thinking I might choose the wrong dog.
 
And another xkcd... for the road.

decision_paralysis.png


"Good point! Making no decision is in itself a third decision. That's ANOTHER option I need to thoroughly research!"
 
Socreta93 said:
One of my favorite philosophers is Søren Kierkegaard. He wrote The Concept Of Anxiety where he calls anxiety "undisclosed fear". Kierkegaard uses the example of a man standing on the edge of a tall building or cliff. When the man looks over the edge, he experiences a focused fear of falling, but at the same time, the man feels a terrifying impulse to throw himself intentionally off the edge. That experience is anxiety or dread because of our complete freedom to choose to either throw oneself off or to stay put. The mere fact that one has the possibility and freedom to do something, even the most terrifying of possibilities, triggers immense feelings of dread. Kierkegaard called this our "dizziness of freedom."
Click to expand...
You're over-thinking it.
 
Zi said:
Jesus came to free us.. does fear or anxiety come with that?

Fear and anxiety come from an unstable thought life, not freedom...
Click to expand...
Or a healthy respect away from falling off walls and buildings. lol
 
I understand what Kirkegaard is saying. I have felt this weird desire to fling myself down from a tall height, as well. I was not depressed at the time- it is just a strange feeling. I don’t suppose everyone feels it. Perhaps he needed a better example in order to get the point across.
 
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