Episode 19 - A Phenomenon Called Choice and All Its Phenomena

In this episode, we will initiate the first discussion of an on-going exploration about choice.  Our departure point starts with the question: Does choice exist?  While the showcase resource is a book by Barry Schwartz called "The Paradox of Choice," my hope is to also provide a number of additional resources to construct a "grasshopper" (qualifier provided by the 1972 television program called Kung Fu starring David Carradine) curriculum about a phenomenon called choice.  It is my hope the collection of material presented will generate thought about the revelatory and empowering nature of choice. 

Show Case Resource:

1) Go to your local library and pick up the book "The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less - How The Culture of Abundance Robs Us of Satisfaction" by Barry Schwartz to discover if you are a Maximizer or Satisficer and rules of thumb for making important life decisions. It is also available on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.ca/Paradox-Choice-Why-More-Less/dp/0060005696/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2QYHD311FXFW4&keywords=the+paradox+of+choice&qid=1556585483&s=gateway&sprefix=The+paradox+of+choi%2Caps%2C641&sr=8-1

2) If you prefer watching videos, you can watch Barry Schwartz give at Ted Talk on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO6XEQIsCoM

Interested in discussion about the problem of free will?

1) Maybe "Free Will" does not exist but what about "Free Won't?" How would you make sense of the research conducted by Libet?  Check out this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjCt-L0Ph5o

2) Not sure about the different conflicting views that relate to the problem of "Free Will," give an ear to John Searle, an American philosopher from the University of California, Berkeley.  He captures the problem so succinctly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rZfSTpjGl8&t=25s

3) Check-out Crash Course, a great free on-line educational platform, to look for congruence with John Searle's account about "Determinism vs Free Will" at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCGtkDzELAI

4) Inclined to a determinist understanding of life, Check-out Sam Harris' podcast called "Making Sense" and listen to Episode #124, In Search of Reality: A conversation with Sean Carroll at:https://samharris.org/podcast/

Additional Reading: 

1) The Father Reaches of Human Nature by Abraham H. Maslow - this is a must read to understand how one of the pivotal founders of Humanistic Psychology conceptualized the centrality of choice to the human experience and self-actualization.  If it is not available at your local library, you can find it on Amazon:https://www.amazon.ca/Farther-Reaches-Human-Nature/dp/0140194703/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?crid=29QAKS8L2PB1P&keywords=the+farther+reaches+of+human+nature&qid=1556587784&s=gateway&sprefix=The+farther+reach%2Caps%2C259&sr=8-1-fkmrnull

Until our next meeting of minds.  May the choices you make be the wisest ones possible in the moments that you meet.