Do we have free Will?

Question

Apart from any religious believes, can anybody substantiate philosophically or scientifically that we have a free will?

In my eyes, every decision we make is affected by various outer factors, such as former experiences, ways of thinking, influences of friends, etc

Is it by any chance conceivable that we are although free to decide on our own?

i tried to start a kind of a halfway intelligent discussion, but i think the question wasn't clear enough. i will try to put it in other words. however, let the community decide which one was the best answer.

Answer 1

The word free can either mean without cost or without restraint.

It does not necessarily mean without influence. Afterall, there is nothing that says an influence will restrain you or in anyway cost you when you try and do something.

Admittedly, this is not a scientific argument, but; logically neither is yours. You are making assumptions, anmely that all influence is significant. If that were so then each person would react the same or to the same degree when they came in contact with such an influence. They don't. Behavior patterns vary.

If you take a piece of chalk and hold it out and drop it it will fall to the ground. If you do the same thing in space it will float. In both cases the chalk is free but the laws of physics influence it's behavior. They influence it's behavior to the extent of how rapid the descent is in its free flight.

Now, if you jump out of a plane, assuming you do so willingly or not, you have a choice. You can stretch out your body and try to withstand your descent or not. The difference will be how little time it takes you to hit the ground and how fast you will be travelling when you land.You have become the chalk, but; unlike the chalk your will is easily apparent for all to judge. By the way, it would be smart to have been wearing a parachute to test this theory.

Another thing i don't think you are considering is the possibility that "Free will" is nothing more than "Independent will", namely a will that is going to at or not act independent of all the other wills, influences and restraints out there. This will is free to act, react or ignore it's situation. It is free in that respect.

Give it a thought, or not, it is your choice, but in chosing, you are establishing that for which you seek.

Answer 2

There really is such a thing as a stupid question. The voices are telling me to type this rude response to your exceptional stupidity. OOps, now they are telling me to apologize for being rude. No! I wont do it.. Now did i refuse by my own free will or did the voices make me refuse to obey thier order? God knows before you do it everything you are going to do. He did not order it nor ordain it, if it is sin it is by your own choice, and only you may choose to repent of that sin. I make my mind up , i respond to external stimulii in my unique way because I am who I am.. Not because the school bully pushed me down when i was 6! If I sin I have to repent, or not. I pay the price for my bad choices, just as I reap the rewards for my good behavior..

Answer 3

Nothing, we as a species, can do is within our own volition or consciousness.
Despite the insipid choices we have regarding; hightop or low top, strappy sandals or heels, Jennifer or Alice, maybe Steve, left or right, and all the other nuances of false will. The fact of the matter remains NONE of us exercise "free will". We have it, dance with it from time to time, with the help of numerous outside influences, even spontaniety itself is in response to a lack thereof!!!

Answer 4

If i receives achieveable to make a element free to ought to magogi ki mujhay bhaut sara food miley jo ki ought to un garib people's ought to baat saku jinay ki food nahi mil tha or bina food kay hi mar ja thay hai.

Answer 5

Free will is what you make it. Despite society and the norms that are acceptable, a person can do anything he or she wishes. There are definite consequences, but those are taken into consideration.

Answer 6

Yes you do have free will, whether you have to courage to do what you want is another matter all together. If you are afraid for this, or that reason, that is you, not the next guy. The other guy may do as he pleases WITHOUT reservation.

Answer 7

Yes, but we are brought up with such guilt, fear and self deprecation that we don't know how to use it.

Answer 8

if there is no free will it's a waist of time for you to ask or for me to answer. there is no reason without freedom.

another thing. why did you "have to" kill john Lennon?

Answer 9

If you live in a society you have no free will

Answer 10

yes its free will but theres also consequences