Renee P.
1 February 2013
“How would we know if events are determined or if we freely choose them?” (Simpler). This is a question that each one of us has to decide for ourselves. Some people believe in determinism which means that all of our choices are already made before we make them, or at least to a point. Others believe in free will meaning we all possess the power to make all of our own decisions. And finally there are some who think that compatibilism, which is combining both determinism and free will, is the answer.
Due to personal experience I believe in the idea of compatibilism. There are many aspects of determinism that play a role in my life. Some seem more prevalent than others. Biological determinism conveys that decisions we make in life are partly based upon our genetic makeup; what we are born with. Science tells us that our genes play a role in our identity. Then there is Newtonian/mechanistic determinism which is cause and effect based. If you are going through an event in your life you may not realize that the current event is a result of a previously made decision. However, without free will none of these decisions would be possible. I do believe that I have a say in the path that I take in life. There have been plenty of times where I have gone against what most people would have thought was already determined for my life. I love that I have this freedom to choose what I wish, but still enjoy the small surprises that have already been predetermined.
Simpler, Steven. “Who Is Writing the Script of My Life?” p. 2. 30 Jan 2013
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