Does Free Will Exist?

Answer 1

according to behaviorism: No.

even if you're religious and you say "god gives us free will" all of our actions are conditioned. leave god out of it

Answer 2

I guess you realize that this is a question where all the answers are merely people's opinion. So here's mine:

A qualified Yes - free will exists.

I believe that our purpose in life is to grow spiritually, emotionally, and mentally - ie to become better people. In order for this to happen, "life" or "God" or whatever you want to call it gives us the opportunity to learn lessons and then places us in a position where we have to make a decision that shows whether or not we have learned that lesson. It's like coming to a fork in the road. You have to chose whether to go left or right. There is no "correct" answer. But whether you go left or right does indicate whether you have learned that life lesson you were supposed to learn. My experience is that if you chose the answer that indicates you have learned what you were supposed to, you move on to learn another life lesson and be faced with another life decision. If you make the choice that shows you haven't learned the lesson (notice I avoid saying wrong choice) you kind of go into a holding pattern. Your life kind of goes in a circle and you are presented with the life lesson again. Eventually you come back to the "fork in the road" where you are given another chance to make the life choice that indicates you have finally learned your lesson. The circumstances may be different but the lesson and your choices will be the same.

I have found that the only "bad thing" about not learning a life lesson the first time through is that "life" tends to intensify or get more brutal with the second, third or fourth attempt to teach you the lesson. It's like "life" say "Okay. You didn't get it the first time. Let's hit you a little harder and see if you wake up this time."

This is true in everyday life as it is in philosophical, ethical or spiritual situations. Ever notice that divorced people tend to marry a person that seems very similar to their previous spouse and then just end up divorced again? They didn't learn the lesson that they need to change their criteria for attraction to another person. Ever notice that some people make a mistake at one job and get fired and then go get a new job and go through the same cycle?

The idea is life may present us with predetermined or preordained situations but the choice of how to proceed through life is ours to make. Our "free will" is the ability to make our own choices.

Answer 3

Yes Free Will Exists for all those that have the will to be free.
It isn't really free but you are free to be all you can be. It's up to you.

Answer 4

Yes it does, regardless of what wickipedia may say. Wickipedia does not have the answer to everything. It is a great source but not the ultimate one. You are free to make your choices. Choices however have consequences. You choose what consequences, good or bad, you are willing to pay/accept and make your choice accordingly. In matters of faith, God absolutely gives us free will. We are free to accept or reject His gift of salvation. Furthermore, if we do accept His gift we are free to choose to obey or disobey Him and the teachings in the bible.

Answer 5

Of course it does, but you better be prepared to deal with the consequences if you act upon something that you shouldn't.

Answer 6

Absolutely. You have the free will to do whatever you please. If you're talking about your conscience bothering you, that's another thing but you can still do as you wish.

Answer 7

yes

Answer 8

yes

Answer 9

Well it's my free will to answer this quesiton, isn't it?

Answer 10

i think not