I'm looking for philosophical and/or scientific approaches. Please, no Wiki references. We've all read it.
2007-12-23 17:36:07 · 4 answers · asked by Dog 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
In my opinion, free will is an illusion. We believe we are free to make our own choices, but the reality is, the choice we will make has already been determined. If you 'choose' to turn left at a crossroads instead of right, it's because you were meant to turn left. It's already been decided. You can't escape your destiny. If something is meant to be, it will be, and there's nothing you can do about it. I believe that everything that will happen to you is planned out before you are born, and you can't change it.
2007-12-24 03:39:12 · answer #1 · answered by The Wise Wolf 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Free will says: I will do this or that; I will not do this or that
A unfree will says: I must do this or that; I must not do this or that
The reality however, is that life can be very cruel & demanding leading the majority of people to be more than willing to trade their freedom, for a sense of security. The popularity of Putin in Russia right now it a perfect example of this.
Every time we allow a law(be it just & right or not) to restict our actions, we both do so freely, but loose a small amount of our freedom to the proccess. It is quite the juggling act, trying to balance freedom, security & happiness. Perhaps this is why most politicians nowadays are not really leaders, most people wouldnt tolerate true leadership, it requires moving away from what is 'safe'. And then we complain that they serve the power brokers...at least we are still free to complain, but anything more is to risk serious repercusions.
Sure we have free will...but we don't care to take full advantage of it. Those who do end up in prisons.
2007-12-24 03:45:39 · answer #2 · answered by insignificant_other 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The mere fact that people react extremely differently to similar situations indicates that we do have free will. Sure, chemicals react, and things happen in the brain, but just think back to the last big decision you made? Personally, my decisions could have gone one way or another, and it wasn't the result of a lack of protein getting to my brain.
2007-12-24 02:41:57 · answer #3 · answered by Born at an early age 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, because you have to follow the rules of the reality I have created.
2007-12-24 03:46:02 · answer #4 · answered by Mogollon Dude 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋