How much control do you think we really have over our actions?

Question

Aren't they truly determined by our histories & our genes? Can we really choose what to do in situations, or is it just the illusion of choice?

Answer 1

You can control your actions to a large extent by being "conscious." A lot of stuff is buried in the subconscious, which determines our actions and reactions. By being observant of our behavior and feelings, we can learn more about our subconscious thereby becoming more conscious.

Answer 2

You may have control on paths to take in your life, but not on the outcome. And yes your history does have some part on how you think, feel, and act. For example, a man that spent 20 years in the military tends to be more disciplined and rigid in their thinking process than say a more "free spirited" person. I know it's a generalization but it is true. While at work I use previous incidents, the outcome history and its final results to help me decide on a course of action. However, I am open minded to see that while a situation may be similar to a previous one, I really take into totality the situation at hand and make a decision from that.

Answer 3

We have absolute control over our actions. Our genes have nothing to do with our decisions. Our upbringing and the people in our lives may influence our decisions, but we are the ones who make them. Anyone who says that they cannot control their actions simply doesn't want to take responsibility for their actions.

Answer 4

Does it really matter in the end? No, we don't actually have a choice in what we do, at least biologically speaking. Our neurons are going to fire and our muscles will respond accordingly. However, this is irrelevant. I can still choose to say "I don't want to eat a tuna salad, I want a baked potato," and I will eat that potato. So what if deep down in all the circuitry it wasn't really a choice but a predictable response to external stimuli. It still felt like me asserting my free will.

Answer 5

These types of theories are essential to denying responsibility. I think its very easy to demonstrate that when you typed your question that you were in total control our your behaviour.

There is no evidence of any gene sequence responsible for you posting a question or the content of the question.

I'd be happy to hear though the historical reasons and the genetic sequences involved and they became involved in you posting the question or my answering of the question.

Answer 6

We have complete control of our actions or inaction's. It is our thoughts and desires and wants and feeling that we seem to have a limited control over. If a guy hits you in the face, you, chances are want to hit him back. I mean really really want to just bust him right in the jaw. Whether you do it or not is completely within your control. The feeling of wanting to do it is not.

Answer 7

I love this question.
I'm a christian ,and my point of view is that man is given the choice to do good or evil .
that sometimes the choice to do good is made harder by different things (stumbling blocks) things like heredity or the way a person was raised ,or personality.some people have internal issues that act their way out in bad behavior (sin ) like the person who overeats to cover up anxiety.or becomes addicted to sex because of low self esteem or the miser that became that way because his childhood was spent in horrible poverty and deprivation and this fear drives him to hoard.
then we have children who are born with disorders that make them more rebellious and or without the ability to deny themselves of what they want for any amount of time.
these things would definitely make it a lot harder to obey rules.
without preaching to you but wanting to tell you how I believe.
Man under his own power is incapable of overcoming his sin nature and all the things fore described.the purpose of the law(rules set down by God ) was to teach man how hopeless it was on his own,the purpose of Jesus was to show how through him man could rise above the sin nature by being born again.This is what worked for me.
all of those things that stand in our way pretty much have us trapped into repeating negative action over and over.
I in my personal life have been set free of my stumbling blocks. healed spiritualy and am, through the power of God able to make right choices.
My power of choice is no longer an illusion.
peace><>

Answer 8

some may use that as an excuse, but we can truly control our actions if we do try. Just because nobody is perfect at it, doesn't mean its impossible. I do try my best to think before I speak, or do something.

Answer 9

We have 100% choice in our actions but 0% in our circumstances.

Answer 10

We believe we have control, while in the moment. But when we look back, we realize we had very little control in what we did and what happened.