Chapter 1: Freewill (Continued)

For All That is Worthy and Worthy of Becoming.

Personal responsibility is the next point of freewill that I think is worth addressing. While it’s important to understand the bottom line that what you do matters, what we do should also take into consideration the limits of our control and what we consider our duty.

Many know of the famous quote “my right to swing my fist ends where your nose begins.” While it can be attributed to many individuals like President Abraham Lincoln, it clearly has a very strong idea of Individualism. This quote asserts that our freedoms end at the border of other people’s freedom, which seems like an amazing case for ethical freedom right? I’m not here to talk about rights, for we have been given a great amount of blessings already and I don’t want to credit humanity what it has not earned. I am here to consider freedom and phenomena of action, and there are plenty of cases where actions overlap.

When it comes to relationships, where does the right (for the quote’s parallelism sake) to pursue a lady begin and end, must there be consent at all stages, but what about romance? A more tangible example would be a car crash, where does the right of one person’s car and property begin and end? One may make the argument that these examples are not exercises of human rights and therefore cannot be measured on the same universal plain. Which is correct, but nevertheless these are still things that happen and things that we must make decisions on whether their outcome is positive or negative. Freedom is a constant force that demands an answer no matter the ethics.

Though we have a tendency to suddenly think very philosophically when it comes to the outcomes and consequences of our decisions. While this is good, we often hold this mindset with the negative purpose of placing blame and removing the personal responsibility from ourselves. In contrast my Mom always replied to the blame game with “Own up, and take it.”

Ironically when faced with the consequences of our free decisions we often seek to give up our personal responsibility. This in itself is an observation of the effects of consequentialism and its separation from deontology. We prefer to think consequentially and determine necessary action based on what we think will happen or what has happened. While this is a sweeping analysis that accounts for unforeseen circumstances, our human nature often turns this principle into a very selfish analysis. In addition by thinking this way we trap the metal of our decisions in the past and wishful thinking. Though reflecting on the past is not negative.

This is my point, consider your duty.

Instead of thinking of personal responsibility consequently as the realm of self that only pertains to you, think of it deontologically, think of it as what you are called to do. This perspective changes your outlook on action from inward reservation to outward love.

Consider what is in your control and outside of your control, share compassion for the unfortunate, and encouragement to those who could still clutch victory. Live love and carry the resilience of a person with purpose.

The person who thinks of himself as a castle will never leave the safety of his walls, but the person who thinks of himself as a lighthouse will guide sailors through the darkest nights.

However, do not take deontology literally. There must be grace in each circumstance which must incorporate some consequentialism. Like Yoda says, “we must bring balance to the force.”

Now that we have explored responsibility through Deontology and Consequentialism, and basic ability through Assassin’s Creed, the crusades, and Joshua, its time for you to explore yourself.

Exercise: Take responsibility and outline your basic ability by making a declaration of your life’s goals and ambitions. This is an exercise Boy Scouts of America have to perform to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. This exercise forces you to think about your habits and purpose, and by writing it down you make a direct connection between the self you envision, and the daily decisions that lead you there. Ask questions like: What is my duty? What are my goals? Who do I want to be known as? This is such a great exercise in forethought and truth, that I believe is important for the growth of all people.

This is what my declaration looks like but please soul search and write your own.

Liam Mulligan

07/09/2024

My Name is Liam Gabriel Mulligan, son of Christopher Michael Champ Mulligan, son of Michael Champ Crash Mulligan, Son of Champ Clark Mulligan and his father before him. That name holds my identity, something that will always be in my possession.

But even though I hold control over my own actions the consequences of those actions are yet unknown and so I plan, hope and pray to become a man worthy of manhood and a disciple who walks by faith.

I have recently graduated from high school and am quickly stepping into adulthood and learning that I have big decisions to make. I know that indecisiveness is a waste of time and I know that time is precious, and so, waste I, no time in contemplating and proclaiming these decisions.

My first decision is to be a producer. Presenting me a path that will allow me to praise God wholeheartedly, generously give and bless others. I want to make a business that creates and innovates permanent products worthy of a customer’s purchase.

My second decision is to be a person of habit, doing the right things all the time because that is what I practice and because that is a habit built with deliberate and worthy purpose. Spontaneity has its moments but I will not let it be my habit, neither will I let each day be impromptu. No, I will with consistency pursue what I know is worthy of being a habit.

My third decision is to be a person of integrity. Because only bad things need to hide and I will not cower in the dark and violate the truth for I know that temptation is all too strong when I’m alone. Instead I will live every moment like I am in public and be mindful of the one who sees all I do.

I will strive to always do what is right in God’s eyes.

My fourth decision is to be a pursuer of virtue. To know the truth to love the truth and to share the truth to all who ache to hear the sweet words of mistress wisdom or to be strengthened and set free by the cry of lady liberty. I will be gracious and practice to the best of my ability the character that even our God above chooses to follow. I will be: compassionate, temperate, frugal, orderly, resolved, practical, sincere, just, moderate, clean, tranquil, joyful, and humble.

My fifth decision is to be a person of chastity. A virtue regularly categorized yet in our modern day it deserves specific dedication. I shall drink not, indulge not, lust not, for I know all these can cause damage beyond human repair. I shall call the reality out in everything so as to abstain from fantasizing in anything. I shall see the woman as God sees her beautiful and worthy of full commitment and pursuit, a companion not a commodity, able in every way yet precious and in need of protection. I shall follow this principle for I know what it brings, I will always long for the true joy of marriage, but I know that is a joy I am now not yet ready to fully fathom.

My sixth decision is to be a person of identity. For who I am is not simply a decision of my own accord, but a conquest and a gift given to me by God. I know my purpose, I know the truth, and will never abandon my destiny for a life that is not at all foolproof. I will be a person grounded in my Identity, so skepticism will never cultivate in my mind, and so intuition can grow in me like a strong vine, so discernment and faith be my guide, so the real me will never hide.

My seventh decision is to be a man of honor. To always keep the mindset of my father and my fathers father. I believe honor is a state of understanding, an understanding of my present opportunities and how many of them are directly gifted to me by my forefathers. I know that I can never violate or sacrifice myself when I have their sacrificial love and generosity on my mind.

This declaration of my life ambitions and my goals I proclaim and Certify.

It is a declaration of principles, an oath, a law, an extension of the childhood principles I held so dear. It is a blessing and schooling in skills and knowledge. We truly stand on the shoulders of giants, and for that I will always be grateful.

Godspeed.

Sincerely,

Liam