Do we really have choice?

Question

Do we really have a choise in what we do? As in if you said to someone do you choose your own destiny and they do something unusual to prove it, is this not just a reaction to the action of being asked if we have our own destiny? So are the paths we choose to take pre determined?

Answer 1

I believe in predestination.

Answer 2

I definitely think we have a choice, because in your example, the thing the person did may have been a reaction to the question, but it's a action they chose to do. Of course there are reasons for that choice, but it is still a choice.

I think in general we do have choices in life. I don't believe our paths are predetermined, because the human mind is so complex and most behaviors can be explained in some way or another, and although yes, these behaviors are based on things such as personality, these are still actions that we have chosen to take, be it consciously or subconsciously.

I do also think however that there are some things that we do have no control over. Things that are going to happen in our life's, whatever we do. But how we deal with those things is once more back to our own choice.

Answer 3

There is no predestination. The myth of destiny is a result of ancient cast and class systems that have operated and still to some extent operate in the world. In the western world we think we are so civilized, but we still have a social class system, and and economic class system, though this is more lose than it used to be, it is still very hard for someone to change class, it is far easier for people to encourage and help their children to do so, and with better results. The thing that seems to some to be fate, is the monolithic social structure and its inertia. Fate and destiny like all gods don't exist, just hard facts of life, the better off socially and financially guard their patch from those below them, it works at all social and financial class levels.

Answer 4

Not really, we can stay away from bad charma and then one day be driving along and --BAM- we're hit right between the eyes. I've tried to stay away from bad **** all my life and sometimes **** happens. Like if a poor old lady was drowing in a rainstorm and u run up to her with an umbrella did u know this is a very selfish act--because it makes u feel good. And so it goes--even when doing what u think are unselfish acts it is actually an act to make u feel better! Why else do it?There was a little bird who did not fly south with the other birds one Fall-and soon it came bad weather and his little wings froze over and he dropped in a pile of cow crap in the barnyard--and he got down in the crap and got warm and safe and stuck his head out -chirp-chirp-and the barnyard cat came by and ate him up. There are 3 morals to this story--first --if u r warm and safe keep ur big mouth shut--and everyone that puts u in that crap is not necessrily ur enemy and lastly everyone that takes u out of that crap might not necessarily be ur friend.

Answer 5

for every action you have the FREEDOM to choose your response. after reading your question for example, i could have: 1. read it. 2. not read it. 3. answer it. 4 not answer it. although sometimes your choices may be limited due to economic, political or social circumstances, your freedom to choose is unlimited. so no, i don't believe any path we choose can be pre determined. you can have two identical twins born at the same time under the same circumstances, one may become rich, powerful or influencial etc. while the other may not. almost everything in life is determined by the choices we make.

Answer 6

Most classic philosophies and religions tend to differentiate "freedom of choice" from "free will." We can choose different things, but we cannot "will our will." Thus the issue of determinism and choice arises. It is an incredibly complex concept, to me, but the gist of it seems to be that while we can choose one thing or another, the "will" that drives us to choose cannot itself be driven by us. Paul says in the Bible that he does things he does not "want" to do, and he also does not do things he "wants" to do, and that there is "no health in me" because of that quandry. It's like the alcoholic trying to will himself not to drink -- it's very difficult if not impossible for an alcoholic to say he does not want a drink. The only thing he can do is simply try to refuse it by imagining consequences and struggling within himself to resist the choice. But his "will" to drink is there and presumably always will be, according to AA people. Also, if we could "will our will," we presumably could simply "decide" to be good people and that would be it. We know this is impossible, just from our experience of life.

This probably is of little help itself!

Cheers,

Peter

Answer 7

Yes. We always have a choice, no matter what. The choices we make in our lives determine the kind of destiny that we're gonna have.

Answer 8

I beleive that God has a plan for our lives, but also gives us free will to choose our own direction. We are not forced to choose to go one way or the other. We are responsible for our actions and our decisions in life. We do have a choice.

Answer 9

Yes we have a choice, 'I think therefore I am.' Consequently because I am aware of my existence I can control this existence. Not saying outer factors do not infleunce our descions. Of course they do. It's all a bit Descrates, we are social animals we cannot think or act alone but we can think for ourselves.

Answer 10

Of course you have choice in many different ways, we also have the choice to turn round and start again if it was the wrong choice

Answer 11

Yes, there are 2 ways to live.