What Covid-19 Has Shown About Choice
When we know little about a situation, we desire clarity and direction, not freedom and choice.
I — like most — have had a lot of time to think recently.
As an asthma sufferer with vulnerable family members, I made the decision, with great difficulty and regret, to withdraw into quarantine a week before it was enforced in the UK. Taking that decision took a while, and ultimately deprived me of the last few days I would ever spend at school.
When the government directive came — to stay indoors as much as possible and to leave schools — I felt a sense of vindication and encouragement.
What I realised is that the reason why the initial decision was so difficult was that it was a free choice — exactly when I needed a bit of clarity from government.
Freedom and choice have come to underpin our entire society, lifestyle, economy, and politics. Broadly speaking, this makes good sense. Liberty allows you to pursue your short-term and long-term desires as you see fit, and it certainly enables the sort of fulfilment and meaning which we all crave.
Choice is brilliant when you know what you’re doing — food and clothes shopping are good examples. The reasons why we are able to make decent decisions in…
