If someone is in denial about something, it means they do not agree, or want the thoughts, or feelings they are having, meaning they have no control over such feelings...
… meaning that they have no choice about their feelings…
…but then surely…
Having no control over such feelings... and no choice… means loss of free will…
... doesn't it?
2006-08-22 15:04:30 · 9 answers · asked by anon 3 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
I quote from some of the answers given already:
"Free Will is that ability to make a choice in one's decision. Denial is choosing not to participate."
"Denial is the choice of not accepting what is really there. You're CHOOSING not to acknowledge the reality.
It's a choice.
Therefore, you have free will."
"In denial, we chose not to accept the choice as real."
"A person is choosing to be in denial."
Ok, so let's take sexuality as an example:
A person in denial about their sexuality is choosing not to participate, not to acknowledge the reality - that they are in fact a homosexual. That person doesn't want to be, and resents the feelings they are having. If that person accepted that they could be homosexual, accepted that the choice could be a real one to them, but resented it: are they in fact still in denial?
A person choosing to be in denial about their sexuality means they have no choice over their sexuality.
So where is the free will?
2006-08-24 17:08:50 · update #1
Denial is many a time in my opinion, mistaken for a choice already made which people are mearly trying to find some ethical grounding for which they can deam they're choice, acceptable. In that light people restrain themselves through denial of the truth that they have already made the decision.
However, I do not believe this invalidates free-will. Even without suitable ethical grounding (or whatever they deam ethical grounding), I'm sure you'll find many a situation where people go "to hell with the consequences", or thoughts to that effect. Free-will conquers denial with no good reason. Otherwise known as that broad topic, human nature.
Sure I'm a believer in your feelings pick you and not the other way around.. however we can lay the ground for such feelings through free-choice and hence free-will. Furthermore you do not have to be a slave to emotion.. Just because you feel something doesnt indicate lack of control.
The 'feeler' always has the choice. Being in denial may even play a useful tool to this end.
Ah heck, psycology mumbo-jumbo! Back to the hardcore physics and medcine please.
2006-08-22 15:19:00 · answer #1 · answered by frohike47 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Denial is the choice of not accepting what is really there. You're CHOOSING not to acknowledge the reality.
It's a choice.
Therefore, you have free will.
It's moot anyway, because your analogy doesn't work.
EDITED FOR NEW QUESTION:
A homosexual man doesn't have the choice of being gay or straight. Their denial is a choice that they have committed to in terms of their sexuality. They choose not to accept their gayness. Though they never act on it, yes they are still gay. Once they've accepted their gayness, they are no longer in denial. You can't be both. Again, your analogy doesn't work.
Free will has nothing to do with your sexuality just as much as it doesn't have anything to do with your eye color. You don't choose those.
2006-08-22 15:12:47 · answer #2 · answered by umwut? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What you want to create here is a conundrum where none exists. Denial has little to do with the concept of free-will. In free- will, we have the option to accept or reject a command, to obey for instance. In denial, we chose not to accept the choice as real.
2006-08-22 15:13:21 · answer #3 · answered by rico3151 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think so. Free Will is that ability to make a choice in one's decision. Denial is choosing not to participate. Both are actually responses to select choices we make and/or encounter.
2006-08-22 15:09:46 · answer #4 · answered by sumadremari 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Free will is the choice to be able to choose freely, whatever we want in life. If you mean free will -vs- destiny. Well, you were destined to will your own choices in life, while on earth. You have a choice to be good or bad. You aslo can choose how you react to things in life regardless of circumstances. If you are emtional and have deep feelings, feel them, think about them, sort them out, be logical and go on.
2006-08-28 11:51:16 · answer #5 · answered by bobbie e 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that emotions and intellect are seperate things. If you were always to operate on the emotional level you might do all sorts of terrible things. You have to use your intellect to control emotions that are likely to lead you into problems. A person is choosing to be in denial.
2006-08-23 12:12:13 · answer #6 · answered by Veritas 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are 2 totally different entities. Over-complication is how I would describe your question.
Mack
2006-08-22 15:15:13 · answer #7 · answered by Mack 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no they do not contradict each other.
2006-08-22 15:06:40 · answer #8 · answered by Donna : 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
gray and black are
2006-08-28 11:05:07 · answer #9 · answered by tanya 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋