Acquired freedom of self-perfection is the freedom to live as one ought

 Acquired freedom of self-perfection is the freedom to live as one ought. So, how does one live as one ought? Specifically, what does one have to do to live as one ought?

Living as one ought involves aligning one's actions, values, and decisions with rational principles that promote self-improvement, ethical behavior, and the pursuit of long-term well-being in both personal and societal contexts. To achieve this, one must focus on several specific actions:

1. Pursue Rational Self-Perfection: This entails consistently evaluating one’s own beliefs, behaviors, and habits to ensure they are grounded in reason and evidence. It requires a commitment to personal growth and learning, aiming to cultivate virtues such as honesty, discipline, and empathy [6].

2. Align Actions with Rational Values: Living as one ought means acting in accordance with principles that maximize benefits while minimizing harms or risks to oneself and others. This involves rational decision-making that weighs the costs and benefits of actions, ensuring that short-term impulses do not detract from long-term goals [1][3].

3. Exercise Ethical Responsibility: Rational living requires acknowledging one’s responsibility to society and others, acting with integrity, and contributing positively to the collective good. This includes fostering cooperation, fairness, and respect in interactions [4].

4. Cultivate Self-Discipline and Freedom: Acquired freedom of self-perfection is achieved through self-mastery—gaining control over irrational desires, impulses, or distractions. This allows individuals to make choices that are truly free and in alignment with rational goals, rather than being driven by external pressures or internal irrationalities [5][6].

5. Adapt Rationally to an Irrational World: Since the world often operates irrationally, one must develop resilience and critical thinking to navigate challenges without compromising rational principles. This includes identifying irrational influences, mitigating their impact, and remaining steadfast in rational living [2][4].

By committing to these actions, one can live a life of purpose, integrity, and fulfillment, embodying the freedom to live as one truly ought. This approach not only enhances personal well-being but also contributes to a rational and harmonious society.

Sources

1 Looking Out For # 1 by Robert Ringer

2 Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely

3 How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World by Harry Browne

4 Knowledge and Decisions by Thomas Sowell

5 Objectivism: the Philosophy of Ayn Rand by Leonard Peikoff

6 The Tortoise's Little Green Book of winning Theories by Robert J. Ringer

In addition:

To expand on how one can live as one ought, we can delve deeper into the principles and actionable steps required to align actions, values, and decisions with rationality for self-perfection, ethical behavior, and long-term well-being.

1. Understanding and Defining Rational Values

Living as one ought begins with identifying values that are grounded in reason and aligned with long-term well-being. Rational values are those that promote personal growth, ethical interactions, and societal harmony. For instance, values such as integrity, compassion, curiosity, and fairness provide a foundation for rational living. Clarifying these values ensures that one's decisions are guided by principles rather than fleeting emotions or societal pressures [1][4].

2. Self-Reflection and Honest Evaluation

To live rationally, one must regularly engage in self-reflection. This practice involves evaluating one's behaviors, decisions, and thought patterns to ensure they align with rational principles. Honest self-assessment helps identify areas for improvement and prevents self-deception—a common obstacle to rational living. This process requires humility and the willingness to confront uncomfortable truths about oneself [6].

3. Rational Decision-Making Framework

When making decisions, one should employ a structured process that includes:

• Cost-Benefit Analysis: Evaluate the potential benefits of an action against the costs involved, ensuring that the benefits justify the effort or resources required.
• Risk Assessment: Identify potential risks and weigh them against the likelihood and severity of harm.
• Long-Term Impact: Consider how choices will affect long-term goals and well-being, avoiding short-sighted decisions driven by immediate gratification [1][3].
  Rational decision-making ensures that actions contribute to one's personal growth and do not harm others unnecessarily.

4. Commitment to Self-Improvement

Acquired freedom of self-perfection requires a commitment to continuous learning and personal development. This includes:

• Expanding knowledge through reading, education, and intellectual engagement.
• Developing virtues such as patience, resilience, and discipline, which enable rational responses to challenges.
• Seeking constructive feedback from others to gain new perspectives and correct blind spots [6].

5. Ethical Behavior in Social Contexts

Rational living extends beyond the self to include ethical interactions with others. This involves:

• Treating others with fairness, respect, and empathy, recognizing their inherent dignity.
• Upholding justice and integrity, even when it may be inconvenient or unpopular.
• Contributing to societal well-being through actions that enhance collective harmony and reduce harm [4][5].
  Ethical behavior fosters trust and cooperation, which are essential for a functioning and rational society.

6. Developing Self-Mastery

Acquired freedom also means mastering one's impulses and desires. This requires:

• Cultivating mindfulness to recognize and manage irrational thoughts or emotional reactions.
• Practicing self-discipline to resist short-term temptations that conflict with long-term goals.
• Establishing habits that reinforce rationality, such as regular planning, goal-setting, and introspection [5].

7. Navigating an Irrational World

The world is often filled with irrationality—be it in societal norms, cultural pressures, or external events. To live as one ought in such a context, one must:

• Develop critical thinking skills to question assumptions and avoid being misled by biases or misinformation.
• Remain adaptable and resilient, finding creative solutions to challenges while staying true to rational principles.
• Focus on what is within one's control and accept the limitations of influencing external factors [2][4].

8. Maintaining Balance and Well-Being

While striving for rational living, it is important to maintain a healthy balance between goals, relationships, and personal well-being. Over-optimization or excessive rigidity can lead to burnout or alienation. A rational approach involves prioritizing rest, fostering meaningful connections, and cultivating a sense of purpose [1][6].

By integrating these principles and actions into daily life, one can live as one ought—achieving self-perfection, ethical alignment, and long-term flourishing while contributing positively to an often irrational world. The key lies in consistency, reflection, and a steadfast commitment to rationality.

Sources

1 Looking Out For # 1 by Robert Ringer

2 Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely

3 How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World by Harry Browne

4 Knowledge and Decisions by Thomas Sowell

5 Objectivism: the Philosophy of Ayn Rand by Leonard Peikoff

6 Restoring The American Dream by Robert J. Ringer

Finally:

The concept of living as one "ought" to live involves navigating both philosophical and practical dimensions of ethics, personal development, and societal norms. Here's a breakdown of how one might approach this:

1. Understand Ethical Theories:

Virtue Ethics: Focus on cultivating virtues like courage, wisdom, justice, and temperance. Aristotle's "Golden Mean" suggests living moderately between extremes. To live as one ought, one might strive to embody these virtues in daily life.

Deontological Ethics (Duty-Based): Immanuel Kant's philosophy suggests that one should act only according to maxims that one can will to become universal law. This means doing your duty for its own sake, not just for the outcomes.

Consequentialism (Outcome-Based): Utilitarianism by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill proposes that one ought to live in a way that maximizes happiness or well-being for the greatest number of people.

2. Self-Reflection and Awareness:

Regular introspection to understand your motives, desires, and actions. This could involve practices like journaling, meditation, or therapy.

Understanding your values and aligning your life with them. This might mean simplifying your life or making career changes to better reflect what you believe is important.

3. Education and Knowledge:

Continual learning not just in academic or professional fields but also in ethics, philosophy, and human behavior. This knowledge helps in making informed decisions about how to act.

4. Community and Relationships:

Living as one ought often involves contributing positively to society and maintaining healthy relationships. This could mean:

Volunteering, helping others, or engaging in community service.

Being honest, supportive, and respectful in personal relationships.

5. Moral Action:

Act with integrity, which means doing what's right even when no one is watching. This includes:

Honesty, fairness, and respect for others' rights and dignity.

Taking responsibility for one's actions and their consequences.

6. Personal Development:

Striving for self-improvement in all areas of life - physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. This might involve:

Setting personal goals for growth, whether it's learning new skills, improving health, or enhancing emotional intelligence.

7. Respect for Autonomy:

Recognize and respect the autonomy of others. Living as one ought involves not only self-governance but also allowing space for others to live by their own principles, within ethical bounds.

8. Balancing Individual and Collective Good:

Find a balance between personal desires and societal contributions. This involves understanding when to prioritize community needs over personal gain, but also when personal well-being is necessary for contributing to the collective good.

To live as one ought is an ongoing process rather than a destination, requiring constant evaluation and adjustment of one's actions in light of ethical considerations, personal growth, and the impact on others. It involves living intentionally, with a clear understanding of ethical principles, personal values, and the broader implications of one's actions.

 And: 

delving deeper into the nuances and practical applications of living as one ought:

Living with Purpose

Define Your Values: Start by identifying what you truly value. This could be through soul-searching, philosophical reading, or discussions with mentors or peers. Values might include kindness, honesty, creativity, or community. 

Set Life Goals: Once values are clear, set long-term and short-term goals that align with these values. For example, if you value education, setting a goal to learn a new language or skill can be part of living as you ought.

Ethical Living in Daily Life

Small Acts, Big Impact: Daily life offers numerous opportunities to practice ethical living. This can be as simple as choosing to recycle, being punctual, giving compliments, or listening actively when someone speaks to you.

Decision Making: Every choice can be an ethical one. When faced with decisions, ask yourself how your choice aligns with your values and how it might affect others. For instance, choosing products from companies with ethical labor practices.

Challenges and Growth

Overcoming Bias: Recognize and work against personal biases. This involves education, exposure to diverse viewpoints, and critical self-reflection. 

Handling Ethical Dilemmas: Life is full of grey areas where the "right" thing to do isn't clear. Develop a method for navigating these - perhaps through ethical frameworks like consequentialism for the outcome or a deontological approach for the principle.

Cultivating Virtues

Habit Formation: Virtues become part of your character through habit. Practice patience, courage, or humility daily. For instance, if you're working on patience, consciously engage in situations where patience is required.

Moral Courage: Sometimes, living as one ought means standing up for what's right even when it's unpopular or risky. This could mean defending someone's dignity or speaking out against injustice.

Community Involvement

Service to Others: Living as you ought often means serving the community. This could be through formal volunteering or informal acts of kindness like helping a neighbor.

Mentorship and Learning: Both teaching and learning from others can be part of ethical living. Sharing knowledge or experiences can uplift others, while learning from diverse groups broadens your own understanding.

Personal Accountability

Reflection: Regularly reflect on your actions. Did you live up to your values today? What could you do better tomorrow?

Accountability Partners: Having someone you trust to discuss your ethical journey can provide insight and keep you accountable.

Balance and Well-being

Self-Care: Ethical living includes taking care of oneself. If you're burnt out, you can't contribute effectively to others or society. Balance personal time with commitments.

Holistic Development: Aim for growth in all aspects - physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. This might mean engaging in activities that challenge and fulfill you in each area.

Continuous Learning and Adaptation

Adaptability: As you grow, your understanding of ethics and values might evolve. Being open to changing your mind based on new information or experiences is part of living as one ought.

Lifelong Learning: Never stop learning about philosophy, ethics, or different cultures and perspectives. This broadens your understanding of how to live well.

Ultimately, living as one ought is about striving for an integrated life where your actions, thoughts, and values are in harmony. It's about making choices that not only fulfill you but also contribute positively to the world around you. Remember, this is a dynamic process where you're always learning, adjusting, and improving.