The Look as an Act of Choice in Berger

John Berger (1999) wrote that, “to look is an act of choice” (p.106). That Berger’s thought certainly sounds optimistic, but after further examination one can realize that in many situations there is not much choice in looking at something or not. More often one encounters not choices, but alternatives to look at. Basically, there are two things one can do if he or she does not want to look. The first thing one can do …

…arise. But since to look is certainly not an act of choice, one must not fear such a scenario. The entire world is much safer because to look is not an act of choice concerning those things that really matter. One cannot look at the state secrets because he or she chooses to, and one cannot look into stranger’s house because he or she chooses to. To look is not an act of choice.