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also in matters concerning oneself. For based on real benefits and harms or true
example, in a lifestyle that consists of a perfection and deficiency, not on
system of behavioral preferences, a instinctual pleasure or blind social
person must be able to maintain their approval. In decision-making, if a
freedom and independence in decision- person’s criterion is personal taste and
making against emotions and not allow desire, such a person acts emotionally,
religious beliefs and values to be and their choice is not realistic. This
managed by desires and emotions. In person does what they want, and
‘decision-making,’ we calculate nothing other than this personal desire
benefits and harms. But the question influences their decision. In contrast,
that arises here is whether this another person bases their decision-
calculation is always done correctly. In making on reason and truths, not on
other words, is it possible that in such personal taste and desires, which are
a calculation, the place of benefits and valid only by their own standards.
harms is swapped? Imam Ali said in this regard,
Given that human behavior is based “Indeed, God Almighty has endowed
on thoughts and emotions, the answer angels with intellect without desire,
to this question seems to be positive animals with desire without intellect,
because it is possible that due to and humans with both intellect and
incorrect thoughts, a person may not desire. Therefore, whoever’s intellect
correctly identify benefits and harms, prevails over their desire is better than
or the calculation of benefits and harms the angels, and whoever’s desire
may be based on emotions and prevails over their intellect is worse
feelings, not on real and rational than the animals” (Ibn Bābawayh,
benefits and harms. Therefore, the 2006, Vol. 1, p. 4).
issue of realistic choice arises here. In another saying, He stated, “Is there
Lifestyle is a type of choice that each no freeman who can leave this chewed
person makes based on internal and morsel (of the world) to those who like
external conditions or accepts under it? Certainly, the only price for
social pressure. Thus, as it can be yourselves is Paradise. Therefore, do not
created, it can also be changed, and the sell yourself except for Paradise” (Sharīf
possibility of creativity always exists al-Raḍī, Wisdom 456).
(Kāwiyānī et al, 2019, p. 19). Thus, based on the principle of
By ‘realistic choice,’ we mean a freedom, our choice must be realistic.
choice and free will based on truths, Therefore, one of the outcomes of
not on subjective or arbitrary believing in human free will is freedom
considerations. In other words, it is and self-respect. In contrast, determinism
