Freewill and Determinism - Essay Example

Freewill and determinism: A debatable issue and overview of it Humans believe to have freewill as they consider themselves asfree entities that can act differently in alternative ways and deliberately choose diversity in their actions. Thus, self-conception is dependent on the notion of free will and this notion enables humans to develop an attitude, which acts as the base of theological, moral, ethical and legal framework. Free will empowers a person to choose and decide his course of action. This idea describes that the control of actions remains with self regardless of pressure and alternative choices. As a common belief free will action is voluntary. However, scientists throughout the history have argued about the existence of free will. They describe the hidden and uncontrollable factors responsible for human actions. Therefore, genuine freewill has no veracity, as one’s actions are pre-determined by the controlling factors. Scientists believe that behavioral patterns depict the existence of controlling factors which are unconsciously and consciously present in the society. This scientific notion indicates that most actions of a human are subconsciously rooted or extracted from the previously observed patterns of behavior. Thus, this makes humans unaware of the cause of their actions. In addition to it, scientists object to the invisible forces of motivation. They determine them as visible sources which humans can see to an extent that they recognize their source of inspiration for any action, which consequently determines their predictable course of action. The idea of invisible forces inspiring humans for voluntary actions serves only to justify oneself incase of resorting to it (Caruso, 2012). Freewill is the ability to make decisions free of certain pressure and restrains. Determinism has established a theory that human actions are a result of old patterns of behavior and are based on former experience of events. Thus, it excludes the freewill concept and is based on metaphysical theory that any uncaused incident is impossible. Free will describes one’s course of action as a choice or decision and determinism describes the happening of an event as an expected outcome based on former experience and hence choice is not in the control of the agents due to the law of nature. Therefore, the above theory negates the responsibility of one’s action onto him. If the theory is true then every action of a human being is necessitated by events, which are fixed in pattern even before the existence of the agent. If this theory is accepted wholly then all the actions come under the category of determinism, which leaves one with the absence of responsibility, innovation and diversity. The cause and effect theory of freewill and determinism leaves one nowhere. Therefore, one tends to believe in the existence of both. However, the extent they affect humans varies from person to person. Moreover freewill does not apply in case of manifestations of natural laws and conditions like gravity, weather, time as well as law of the land and physical aptitude of a person. In case of a disability, sickness, lack of resources a person is causally determined. Rules and regulations and religious beliefs also make one’s actions determinable. The invisible constraints due to law of the land or of religious beliefs remain intact. But can a person break the regulations or does one have the capability to go against the religious belief? The answer to that is observed commonly, yes. Humans have been given the capability to choose their course of action on the basis of freewill. They can break the law or go against a determined religious act as freely as they like. However, freewill is also bound by some restraints. It cannot move in all directions as natural forces constrain many actions of humans. Previous patterns of events are also a result of actions by humans therefore humans are a cause of determinable actions. Thus, the idea of responsibility for one’s actions becomes vague. Humans are initiators of behavioral patterns. Another logical aspect of the existence of freewill is the absence of will in animals and in nature. Their patterns and actions are fixed, but man acts unpredictably on many occasions according to his will (Machan, 1995). Thus, freewill and determinism both have their equal contribution to the actions of humans and the philosophical idea wherein these two are considered as ultimate realities is known as compatibilism. If one is not able to change his destiny and the events of his life take a similar turn then his actions are termed predictable. Many people rely on determinism and act as they are expected to; therefore, their actions fall into the predictability division. Hence, they lack free will or intuition to control their actions or take decisions. The implication of self-determination is vital in analyzing one’s control over life. However, one has to bear the consequences of his actions whether he chooses it by will or by default. If a person leaves the urge of freewill his predictable decisions of life will be unable to optimize quality of life. Determinable actions lack goal and objectives and the zeal to attain them. Humans are determinable in their actions as their actions conform with the society they associate to. Therefore, they are easily predictable due to the set of patterns present in the prevailing society. A man’s action is evidence of his association and thus, it describes the aspect of human behavior to be known before the occurrence of action. The vitality of predictability is often risky. It invites the manipulators to exploit the rights of an individual. Due to the fact that predictable actions are easy to determine, manipulators target the area where their expected response could be developed. Hence, political leaders in debate often highlight the issues which would easily persuade the voters into voting for them. They reinforce the concept of freewill to their subjects and make them feel the power of their freewill decision, but simultaneously they determine a pre-determined path for them to make their decision according to a prior experience. In this manner, manipulators are attaining aims according to their freewill, but making others a subject of determinism. Thus, humans are easily manipulated in all areas of life. Business organisations adapt the strategy of manipulation to sell their products; advertisers highlight the significance of their product and ensure their credibility, entertainers act in their earnest way to make their audience believe the sincerity of their action for the sole benefit of the audience. All of these manipulative entities put their subjects into a state of confusion. Although visibly they promote freewill decision, they exert an influence over their subjects, urging them to make a decision that effectively was made for them by someone else. They also develop strategies with the notion of freewill and absence of determinism. References Top of Form Caruso, G. D. (2012). Free will and consciousness: A determinist account of the illusion of free will. Lanham, Md: Lexington Books. Top of Form Machan, T. (1995). A Brief Defense of Free Will. Tibor Machan. Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Read More