Decisions: Stepping Stones of Life

English novelist, George Eliot believed “the strongest principle of growth lies in human choice,” this is an abbreviated definition of the philosophical theory of existentialism.  Existentialism is the belief that one’s self is determined by the choice of there actions, American philosopher John Dewey sums it up best by stating “the self is not something ready-made, but something in continuous formation through choice of action.”  I agree with the basis of the theory of existentialism; that a persons’ destiny is made up of the decisions they make along their life journey.  I do not believe that every choice a person makes is either right or wrong, I believe that every decision a person comes to leads them in a different direction.  In other words, I believe that people become the judges of their own decisions after they have made them; I believe that only they can truly decide whether or not each decision came with a positive or negative outcome.  Using the theory of existentialism while focusing on An Artist of the Floating World‘s main character Masuji Ono one can see this process unfold.

Ono recalls many decisions from his past; some he has become content with while others have regret lingering on his pallet.  During World War II Ono worked creating paintings that were used in Japanese propaganda.  Ono was an advocate for the war and preached to the Japanese people to support the decisions the nation had made.  When discussing his own responsibility for the current state of the nation Ono declares, “I freely admit I made many mistakes. I accept that much of what I did was ultimately harmful to our nation” (Ishiguro 123). This is an example of someone believing that they in fact had made the wrong choice in a past decision or in this case many wrong choices.  Ono defends himself soon after by claiming, “All I can say is at the time I acted in good faith.  I believed in all sincerity I was achieving good for my fellow countrymen” (Ishiguro 123-124).   This being said, although he confesses to his many past mistakes it seems as if Ono lacks regret.  This raises the question, does Ono believe that he made the wrong decisions in the past or does he believe that these decisions helped mold him into the best possible person he could be.  Essentially, does Ono believe that he has chosen the correct decision making path within his own life, or does he believe that his past decisions have guided him down a path of regret. 

When examining the decisions of one’s past you have to take a deep look into the person of the present.  The decision maker can only truly measure the success of a decision after all the conse quences have taken their complete course.  Being that the war has come to an end Ono is quick to second-guess his decision making, but time is needed to experience the full effect of the choices made.  Of the countless decisions Ono made during the war one in particular has left him in a bad place.  Ono recalls events that took place between him and his former protégé, Kuroda.  The events that took place concerning Kuroda leave Ono wondering what may have been, Ono ponders on whether or not he made the correct decisions.  Ono made claim that Kuroda may not be showing the proper support to his country and suggested that someone give him a talking to.  Contrary to the talk that Ono recommended Kuroda’s life works were destroyed.  “I had no idea something like this would happen,” Ono says in reaction to the events that took place that day at Kuroda’s (Ishiguro 183).  Regarding Ono’s statement it becomes evident yet again that he feels he has made a wrong choice.  Ono suggests that if he had been able to see the outcome of this decision ahead of time he would have never suggested a check up on Mr. Kuroda. 

I believe that many of Ono’s past choices were the wrong choices to a certain extent, but in an existential context I believe that although the short-term consequences may have been negative they served as stepping-stones for Ono down the right path.  I believe that the choices that Ono made in his past may have been tough for him to make and to accept, but I believe that they speak to his character in the sense that he is a man that is enthusiastic about what he believes in and is loyal to the cause.  Although these qualities may have driven him to do things that he would later come to regret, they are positive personal qualities to possess.  Ono finally shows signs of content within his life describing it as, “ a profound sense of happiness deriving from the conviction that one’s efforts have been justified; that the hard work undertaken, the doubts overcome, have all been worthwhile; that one has achieved something of real value and distinction” (Ishiguro 204).  This statement shows me that Ono’s decisions in a broad context were the correct decisions, because he now, after the consequences have played out, is a content and happy individual. 

The bottom line is to do the best you can in your life journey to always make the best possible decision, and if at first you believe you have made the wrong choice be patient, the things you have learned from making a bad decision can be used to help you make better decisions in the future.  Bad decisions will be made, but by learning and adjusting each wrong choice can be looked at as an upgrade to you.  Each decision, right or wrong, comes with experience and new information, both elements that can be used to improve one’s self.  Weight-Watchers founder Jean Nidetch preaches, “it’s choice, not chance that determines your destiny,” and through right and wrong choices a persons’ self is built.  I agree with this testament and that it does not matter on how many good and bad decisions you have made, just that you learn and grow with each choice.