Are your choices truly your own?
Do you subscribe to the idea of determinism or free will?
These are two intricate philosophical concepts that stand in contrast to one another. I pose this question because these notions have recently taken up residence in my mind. After listening to the discourse surrounding these theories in two distinct podcasts (one in Spanish and another in English), I have come to the tentative conclusion that our lives are primarily governed by free will, with an undercurrent of determinism influenced by our environment and upbringing.
The proposition that every event, decision, and action is causally determined by an unbroken chain of prior occurrences does not quite resonate with me. Moreover, if that were the case, I find it slightly disheartening. Therefore, I am inclined to believe that we, as humans, possess free will. We have the capacity to make choices that are genuinely autonomous and not merely the result of antecedent causes – determinism.
As previously stated, these are intricate concepts, and I admittedly don’t fully comprehend them. Nonetheless, they’ve provoked me to consider the profound impact that the ideas and thoughts of others (whether they’re philosophers or not) can have on our worldview and our personal lives. I find solace in maintaining the belief that the choices I make are my own, not predetermined by some external force. This perspective brings me a sense of happiness and tranquility.
I’m curious, what are your thoughts on the matter? I plan to engage further in discussions about philosophical ideas because I believe there’s an abundance of knowledge we can glean from them. Additionally, I intend to expand my understanding by exploring the works and teachings of various philosophers. If you’re interested in delving deeper into philosophy, I highly recommend this page; it’s a great collection of information on the subject.
