Most people in modern society have a cause and effect understanding that they apply to most everything they encounter. When it comes to human behavior, however, their cause and effect reasoning frequently hits a wall. Understanding that human behavior is as fully the result of causal factors as anything else in our universe supports lasting personal growth. Believing that we possess the ability to act contrary to cause, however, is a major impediment to growth because in failing to understand ourselves in the context of the determinants which influence us, our view of ourselves is distorted.
When we are displeased with ourselves, believing that we have the capacity to act contra-causally frequently causes self-blame and guilt, essentially taking one problem, and piling on another. Freed from such self-critical thoughts, we can safely examine our behavior with a degree of resolution that might otherwise be too painful. If we are pleased with ourselves, believing that we have the ability to act contrary to causation can result in an unrealistic sense of self-importance and superiority.
Such thinking can strain our relationships and make us disrespectful and even contemptuous of those less successful. Letting go of the illusion of being the ultimate cause of your behavior is humbling. Suddenly, we can see ourselves and others with far more compassion and understanding.