Do Our Choices Change Our Reality?
On Subjective and Objective Reality
“Our choices determine the destiny of the world. By making a choice, you alter the structure of reality.”
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson
Peterson is known to say some crazy stuff from time to time. When looking at a quote like the above, it’s easy to get a little hesitant - how can we alter the structure of reality?
Perceptions and Reality
I think there’s a lot to unpack in this quote. Firstly, it does seem to be the case that our thoughts form our reality, at least in some part. There is an objective reality out there, though we mere humans don’t always know what it is. That is what science aims to define.
Subjective vs. Objective Reality
However, there are also our subjective views on the world. Many moderns struggle with this element (or, rather, the alignment of this element with the objective world that exists). Make no mistake - our subjective views on situations do, indeed, change our state. That is the principle that Stoicism is built on.
However, there is another element that the Stoics also urge us to be aligned with - objective reality. Hence, the “subjective reality” isn’t entirely free; there are boundaries if you wish to flourish (certainly, your subjective reality can be whatever you want, though the chances of you flourishing are in question).
“I’m A Cat” - Example
To give a simple example, you can believe that you are a cat, but that doesn’t mean that you objectively are. And the Stoics would argue that believing you are a cat could not possibly lead you to a flourishing life because it doesn’t align with objective reality (Mother Nature, if you will).
Subjective Views Change Reality?
The second important point to highlight here is that our subjective views do alter objective reality. That is a hard point to wrap our tiny primate brains around (or at least my tiny primate brain). It doesn’t change it immediately in the moment, but it does over time as you act in the world.
Remember: subjective views can change, but if we maintain our subjective views over time they become manifest in the world, and that changes the world.
“I’m A Cat” - Example
Let’s go back to the “I’m a cat” example.
If enough people believe that they are cats, all of a sudden we find ourselves staring at a litter box in public bathrooms. The fact that people use litter boxes is now part of objective reality, even though the principles of the facts are not true.
True - these people believe they are cats.
False - a homo sapien is not a cat.
True - people are using litter boxes in public bathrooms.
Take Responsibility
As is evident, how we view the world is up to us, and a Stoic takes it upon themselves to own that as a responsibility. It may seem like your subjective belief that anyone who cuts you off in traffic is an A-hole only affects you, but it does not because that belief only creates more A-holes in the future (and, heck, maybe you are one yourself!).
Stay Strong & Stoic,
BRJT