ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author discusses two themes: choice and consciousness. As traditional ways of living, of relating to others, and of believing break down, men find themselves in a situation of vastly extended choice. The new sciences seemed to increase man’s sense of helplessness rather than make him feel adequate to cope with the situation of extended choice into which the transformed society had placed him. The author have suggested that the extended freedom, bringing with it an extended range of potential choices, has, as it were, ‘happened’ to man in the industrial culture; but freedom and choice bring anxiety. The making of choices ceases to be an enjoyable privilege; instead, it becomes a serious duty for which one must prepare oneself. This preparation consists essentially in the extension of consciousness and self-awareness. The awareness of oneself and the awareness of the other may become mutually enriching and lead to a further widening of consciousness.
