How much of Life is really free will?

Question

The media dictate who we are and what we do? so how do you know the decision you make it yours and not what you think people wants you to do?

Answer 1

In the old times when there were no media, there were other things. There were, for example, superstitions, omens, myths, jungles, caves and of course people to interrupt our lives, to take away our sense of freedom. And then when people were enlightened, strong and together then there always was fear - the fear of the unknown all around us. We have always found ourselves in the middle of the unknown lengths of time and expanses of space.

The media therefore is not the only and the first limitative influence upon our sense of freedom, limitations, or the sense, have always been there. Only the older things have been replaced by the newer ones but the purpose is still the same, i.e. to influence, to control, to use and therefore dehumanise. In our modern times media interruption into our personal lives can be extremely annoying and pestering, but it is at the same times enlightening, myth busting and very informative about us and the world we live in. But we cannot accept all that we get, as we don’t. We disagree and protest. And this is where opposing purposes start to cross and cancel each other.

But the space that we have as our self, on the other hand, can be a very different place. We can realise that all the fuss about many things being projected through big mouth media are in fact superficial or temporary. They do their magic, and then they go. But we do not change. We are the same. In this world of transformations if there is one constant and that is our sense of self. Our inner self that sits and watches all this is constant, and in a sense eternal. If we can learn to value what is of permanent and our own then we learn to accept, in acceptance then is the secret of true freedom that we emotionally and spiritually so earnestly seek all the time, everywhere. We cannot isolate our selves in the name of illusionary freedom but we can make our own what we cannot or should not win against. This is where we can have complete agreement and therefore freedom.

Answer 2

Free will in any case is an illusion we harbor to inflate our ego. We are too small in Thisis vast and varied universe to make any difference in the scheme of things that are naturally dictated. Even if we intend, work and achieve something, how can we be sure that it was actually not willed by some other greater power and even our intent was not prompted by that greater power? That we have no free will is proved by th\e fact that no one at all can guarantee ever that any of our intentions can certainly be made to fructify all the time with consistency.

In addition, we ourselves place loads of restrictions and compulsions on ourselves, through our family, social, community, nation and global relationships willingly accepting the obligations. Media influence comes much later. Our entire being is continuously and right from birth influenced by other people as well as all our surroundings.

The universal cause and effect chain means that we have no free will and we merely are a link in that great chain of cause and effect in this universe.

Answer 3

Sometimes this gets a bit complicated to define. We certainly can't control the weather, or other people and a mirad of other things to boot. But you can make choices and you do every single day. Even when you choose not to do anything, you've made a choice. And you can choose how you react to whatever has happened. We do have free will. Now, destiny, fate, a higher power, whatever you choose to believe in does get thrown in the mix, as do other people.
A war breaks out and lasts for 20 years, surely people have no choice in this, they are swept along on the tide so to speak. Still, they are free to smile every day, or cry in despair.
You lose everything you own in life through no fault of your own, yet you may huddle in a corner, no one would blame you, or you can get up and start all over again.
I may thing whatever I want to, I may choose to let someone alter my thinking, or I may hold fast even if it would be stubborn to do so. My choice. I think you know deep down when you're doing what others expect you to do rather than what you want to do. Sometimes that's good, sometimes not. Sometimes it's scarey to go against the norm, but it sure is fun !!

Answer 4

As you rightly point out we are all heavily conditioned, by media, parents, culture and society. Education has become a loading -in of information.

Can you ever truly think for your self?

We are told what to do, how to think, what to think, what to eat, what to buy.

How can you be original faced with all this?

'Will' After all, is the summation of desire and nothing else.

Its what you want with much energy behind it.
It cannot be free ever, it is always driven by 'want' and not 'need'.

So living as we live now has very little freedom in it. You must have freedom, space, to live sanely.

This is a very good question, thank you.

Answer 5

Life is really free will, and at the same time not free will.
1) Life is not free will, for you to be happy and live a free life, you have to get to the root of life, or the spirit of life.Because the creator or the giver of life, has purpose for each life. So if you are aware of the purpose of your life, or what I called the spirit of life, then you will know that your life is not for you rather it is for the others. Because what ever you do in your life effects the other person you know or you may not know. In this case life is not really free will.
2) Life is really free will, when you are able to diffing what life is for you, looking at the values and norms of life. Then if you are able to go beyond these values and norms, living now the spirit of life. then life is really free will.
(" what you do not want others to do to you, do not do it to others")

Answer 6

you chose to ask this question.
That is free will.

However, there are limits to free will as our free will is guided all the time within a framework of possibilities.

But as we know our smallest free will contribution to the whole scheme of things and can result in a great revolution.

That is the beauty of Nature or Universe, Creation, Srishti.

Enjoy

Answer 7

In the world of civilisation. free will is a luxury that very few obtain,and when they do they are outcasts ,because they will not bow to the voice of authority

Answer 8

I think everything we do is pre destined. We just think we make choices. Just like in the film Donnie Darko.

Answer 9

You must be aware that we are controlled by our ancestral genetics and cultural heritage, the more we are aware of this the more free will (freedom) we will have.