Free Will vs Determinism Essay - 1396 Words

PHIL 110 Essay #2 February 15, 2010 GTF: Emma Jones Free Will vs. Determinism The argument of whether we humans are pre determined to turn out how we are and act the way we do or if we are our own decision makers and have the freedom to choose our paths in life is a long-standing controversy. The ideas of Sartre, Freud, and Darwin are each strong in their own manner, yet Sartre presents the best and most realistic argument as to how we choose our path; we are in control of the things we do and responsible for the decisions we make. Not only this, but also, our decisions have an effect on our peer’s choices, just as theirs affect ours. In this paper, I will argue that Jean-Paul Sartre makes the best argument of the three philosophers†¦show more content†¦Our freedom to choose what we do and our consciousness are directly related; therefore, we make each of our choices for a reason. With each and every decision we make in our lives, we are shaping our purpose and our meaning, but in making our own choices, we have to take on the responsibilities that come with that power. Every individual needs to be accountable for his own actions. Sartre explains in his exposition, â€Å"I cannot obtain any truth whatsoever about myself, except through the mediation of another† (199). This is saying that we need others to help us form our own decisions create and image of how we are to be perceived. It is our responsibility to establish our own value and make the best choices for us and our peers. Sartre goes on to argue, â€Å"When we say that man is responsible for himself, we do not mean that he is responsible only for his own individuality, but that he is responsible for all men† (188). As individuals part of a larger group of humans, we must come to the understanding that all of our choices will affect our peers and have an impact on the decisions they will choose to make which in return affect us. Many people turn to a higher power to pawn off responsibility for their actions. For example, acts of terrorism are often blamed on a higher power â€Å"speaking† to the group of terrorists telling them to do this, however, this higher power does not exist and the responsibility is completely on the individuals. Our choices and actionsShow MoreRelatedFree Will vs. Determinism Essay1716 Words   |  7 Pagesfierce-looking meatloaf, so you decide to go with pizza. So was your decision based off of free will or was this decision predetermined? To fully understand whether your actions resulted from free will or determinism, we must first define each. Determinism is the idea that everything happens due to a cause or a determinant, which is something that can be observed or measured. To put it simply, determinism does not mean that the future can be predicted. Rather, it is a prediction of the possible outcomesRead More Free Will Vs. Deter minism Essay2770 Words   |  12 PagesFree Will Vs. Determinism I. Determinism   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Before one can properly evaluate the entire debate that enshrouds the Free Will/Determinism, each term must have a meaning, but before we explore the meaning of each term, we must give a general definition. Determinism is, Everything that happens is caused to happen. (Clifford Williams. Free Will and Determinism: A Dialogue pg 3). This is the position that Daniel, a character in Williams’ dialogue, chooses to believe and defend. 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This sense of free-will, an opportunity to make a choice between good and evil, is an essential part of humanity...but controlling the freedom of choice is the true key to this idea. So how does this affect and influence Alex’sRead MoreFree Will Vs. Determinism1526 Words   |  7 Pagesother’s throats: Free will versus determinism. Scientist believe they have proven that free will is a mere illusion. Philosophers think other wise. With many experiments and arguments included, both have a different view about this topic. One who believes that all thing, including human behavior, are alre ady determined are people who believe in determinism. Others who believe in free will, believe that our actions are caused by free will and are not controlled. Believing in free will means that people’sRead MoreBaron dHolbach and William James on Free Will and Determinism1192 Words   |  5 PagesBaron dHolbach and William James on Free Will and Determinism 3. 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