Excerpts from the Arnold Siegel’s Autonomy and Life Coursework

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By Arnold Siegel

When we study Autonomy and Life we observe and evaluate the opportunities and prohibitions for autonomous individuation emerging from our common democratic inheritance. Our efforts are informed by a pragmatic understanding of the human predicament that transcends metaphysical explanations for visible and invisible phenomena and focuses on self-mastery and competitive maturity and cognitive and communicative skills in dialogue as the primary means for effectively challenging the antagonism prevalent in human conditions and circumstances. We intend to build an enlightened independence, a remarkable presence of self and voice and a fulfilling professional and personal life and lifestyle, one suited to individual temperament.

Of course, we don’t begin our studies with a blank slate. Involuntarily, we are inserted into the world –into human conditions and circumstances. Moreover, we are inserted, also involuntarily, with specific characteristics. No one chooses his parents, her color, his country, her shape, his genes, her energy level, his native intelligence. Even our “receptivity” to life, to human conditions and circumstances, is somewhat fixed before we get the big picture and have any say-so about it.

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Arnold Siegel Helps Define Our Predicament

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By Arnold Siegel

Let us define our predicament—yours and mine—as follows: Each of us is challenged by our culture’s tradition as well as by more primitive instincts to negotiate reality successfully. If we use a metaphor and compare this predicament of life to a game of chance, we might say that from the great cosmic deck of all the cards available, each of us was dealt a hand of cards. These cards that are to be our resources and burdens have been dealt in the main by the time we reach maturity. They have become facts of life.

Some of the cards—our genetic heritage—were dealt round by birth. Our access to science and technology may allow for some changes (plastic surgery or organ transplants, for example) in how the genetic heritage appears and works. By and large, however, those cards remain the same throughout our lives. As you know, this is usually called the “nature” part of our heritage.

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Expectations, Beliefs and Discipline:Two Experiments, Two Challenges

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By Arnold Siegel

Expectations and beliefs are a fact of life; however, they may not be thoughtfully promulgated. Odds are, our expectations and beliefs exist by virtue of blind force, cultural impress, fantasy or gamble. They may bear little relationship to how the world works or to the control we have over ourselves and circumstances. Yet unfulfilled, they are insidiously harmful, motivate irresponsibility and blame, and lead to gripes, excuses, spite and self-antagonism, alienation, retreat.

For the sake of experiment, try this challenge. For a period of time you designate, be willing to consider my assertion that an important number of your beliefs and expectations may not be based on carefully considered gathered intelligence and native intelligence; you simply have them. Be willing to take responsibility for disappointed expectations.

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