136″The absence of choice is a circumstance that is very, very rare.”
The speaker claims that the situation without alternative is almost nonexistent. However, it depends on how the ‘absence of choice’ defined.
Considering the absence as lacking of choice, we have to admit that it is truely scarce that a circumstance have no choice. In fact, it is impossible for the ’empty’ is also a kind of answer or choice. Facing the situation that we are the men who are playing chess, and we have no idea what to do with the play next. It seems that we do have no choice to go on. Nonetheless, such ‘no choice’ is another choice. That is to say, the condition that we can not decide the next step is also a kind of possiblities to the end of play. Thus, we never short of choice.
On the other hand, defining the absense as hard to make decision, the assertion will be open to cast doubt on. Seldom can a person had ever meet the situation parodoxically. Eventually we are facing it everyday. The paradox might be the struggling in the bed: to get up or not to get up, that is a question. The paradox may also exists in the hasty of what present to buy for his girlfriend. The paradox is likely to be solved readily, however, at that moment, it looks like the hardest thing in your life. The conclusion from foregoing example strike against the assertion utterly.
Moreover, if the absence means the force from external or inner princinple, it will depend. If some one with high standards in moral, he may be disturbed by the absence of choice more frequently, for he will be in two minds when facing the problem which is a confliction between his will and the principle, whether external or inner. Imaging the situation, you are a follower of a leader, and your friend is loyal to the man against your lord. It is perfectly possible that you two might meet in a battle as you are enemy to each other. Will you shoot your friend? To be a cruel man who give priorty to loyal, you may shoot. In contrast, to be a kind man who values the friendship, you may not do so. That is what ‘depend’ mean.
In sum, to give different definition to the conception of absence of choice, we got totally distictive consequence to the statement of the speaker.