Are our personalities more the result of genetics and circumstance or free will and choice?

Question

I guess I am also asking if we make ourselves who we are or if we are just the product of factors out of our control?

My answer: I like to believe and try to live as if I am in control. But when I sit down and think about it, it seems that I'm pretty much locked into the hand I've been dealt.

Answer 1

I think it's a combination of genetics and free will. We are in control of how we feel and think, but physical limitations can play a factor in our thinking. We can try to break free of physical limitations with perseverence. A person can be all that they want to be, but some have to work harder at it than others. Having the insight of getting over things that is out of our hands only adds to our personality. Nothing can be taken from you, only if you let it.

Answer 2

I can't think of any geneticist worth their degree who'd support the idea of genetic determinism; The idea that genes are responsible for human personality. Our own cloning experiments with cats has already suggested that, though it could be our cloning process is not exact enough. See my source links for more on that.

Either way, experience and personal choice DO shape ones persona. And while having genetic tendencies and being raised in a certain environment will give a high suggestablilty for actions, we're not drones. If we were, the job of a behavioral psychologist (hell, most psychologists) would be a lot easier and a lot less interesting. :)

Answer 3

Each person is born with persoanality tendencies. (nature) If you have ever known many babies, you will see that each baby has a unique persoanality. However, these tendencies are shaped and cultured as the child grows. (nurture). There has long been a debate about the nature versus nurture issue. However, I believe that it is a combination of both. Our genes give us tendencies, but we can learn or choose over time, to be the kind of person we want to be. To an extent.