Introduction
Free will and determinism have evoked debates in various fields of ethics, morality, law, philosophy, and psychology. The question about one’s free will to act and factors that determine people’s actions has posed varying perspectives regarding human action and raised thought-provoking questions that have become debatable topics in various fields. Some philosophical and scientific theorists argue that free will is an illusion and that external factors determine people’s actions, while some claim that the two concepts complement each other and coexist in some form. Other theorists claim that free will and determinism are independent concepts that shape human behavior differently, leading to specific actions.
All these theories point to a central idea that free will and determinism shape human behavior, leading to specific acting methods. However, this essay opposes the view that people act according to free will and suggests that external factors influence people’s actions. Thus, the paper argues that despite free will, individuals’ actions are determined by external factors such as societal beliefs and attitudes, past experiences, and psychological issues, which may corrupt their moral judgment.
Philosophical Definitions and the Role of Experience
Free will is a philosophical and scientific concept that refers to an individual’s capacity to make decisions independently. Decisions based on free will are not influenced by external factors such as past experiences and universal conditioning, which makes them free from bias and manipulation. On the other hand, determinism is a concept used to explain how individual choices are predetermined by external factors (Westbrook 9). The doctrine suggests that individual actions are influenced by their experiences, springing, societal beliefs and attitudes, culture, and psychological issues that shape their behavior. Thus, individuals cannot be held morally responsible for their actions since factors beyond their control influence them.
Opponents of free will as a causative factor of human actions argue that individual behavior and actions are shaped by their experiences. Wars, adversities, suffering, and evil can shape a person’s thoughts into negative thinking, which may affect their activities (Westbrook 58). likewise, living in peace and happiness may lead to positive thinking and morally upright decisions since the individual’s mind is not corrupted by negativity. However, everyone is free to choose when faced with complex situations.
Although people learn from their surroundings, which shape their personality and behaviors, every individual has a conscious mind that can differentiate right from wrong regardless of experiences. In a prayer for the days of awe, the author narrates his struggles with religious beliefs and the evil that plagues society today (Wiesel 1). He experiences the gores of war, making him question God’s existence and why He would allow much suffering in the world. However, in moments of giving up, Wiesel realizes that the universe was created by a supreme being, meaning God exists.
Despite the suffering and challenges he experiences in the holocaust, his opinion about God does not change, and he continues believing. Further, he forgives the Nazis regardless of their evilness since it is the right thing to do as a believer (Wiesel 2). If experiences shaped a person’s behavior, the author would have turned away from God and stopped believing, leading to avenging their loved ones.
In the Dahmer case, the convict proved sane during his case, which made him aware of every action he was doing (Cannon 2). Regardless of his childhood experiences, which could have shaped his behavior, the serial killer had knowledge of his actions and the consequences of the illegal act. At some point, Dahmer confesses that he carried his activities too far. He had a sound mind when committing the crimes and was morally responsible for each death and depravity he dedicated to the victims. Thus, people have choices and the free will to make the right decision regardless of impulses.
Psychological Determinism and Responsibility
Another argument against free will suggests that psychological issues beyond their control influence people’s actions. Regardless of free choice, psychologists and philosophers argue that external factors significantly determine a person’s behavior and actions (List 69). People with mental issues tend to act on impulse due to mental and emotional instability, which could lead to committing serious crimes and violations. Although people argue that one has the free will to choose and make the right decision, a psychological disturbance may alter an individual sense of reasoning. From a psychological view, the two concepts are separable, posing complexities in determining the cause of human action.
Philosophers and scientists argue that Dahmer’s actions were influenced by his upbringing and psychological issues such as antisocial behavior. The convicted killed with determination fueled by his lust, which drove him to lure more victims into his house. His defense argued that the serial killer acted out of impulses influenced by borderline personality disorder and paraphilic disorder (Cannon 2).
However, the court found the convicted to be sane and conscious when committing the crimes. Despite his childhood experiences and emotional issues, the convict testified to being aware with a sound mind when he killed and had sex with corpses. Thus, he did everything out of his free will to satisfy his needs, which can be attributed to his psychological issues.
Social Conditioning and Conscience
Finally, individuals who suggest that free will is an illusion argue that societal attitudes, beliefs, and cultural backgrounds influence people’s behavior. Society plays a significant role in influencing people’s way of living and decisions regarding life, such as careers, social groups, and requirements of belonging to a particular occupation. For instance, in Killing Without Emotion, the narrator tries to numb his emotional sense when killing because he wants to join the army. According to the narrator, being in the military involves killing heartlessly during the war. Although his inspiration is based on societal beliefs, he has control of his emotions and can be heartless or sympathetic towards victims regardless of joining the military (O’Connor 2).
Similarly, the Nazis’ actions against the Jews are driven by their free will to hurt victims during clashes and war. Like the narrator, they believe in violence to accomplish military tasks, which are done consciously. Human conscience guides individual actions, which can be regarded or disregarded by the individual freely (List 13). When the narrator first kills, he becomes emotional, challenging his belief of killing without emotion.
He had the free will to stop practicing the act of killing animals to achieve an emotionless state while committing the violations. Instead, he continues his quest willingly regardless of warning from his conscience, leading to killing without emotion, which would translate to wartime. Thus, people have choices to be good or bad, and their decisions are based on conscious judgment regardless of external determining factors.
Conclusion
In conclusion, philosophical arguments are complex, with differing opinions and perspectives. Both concepts raise thought-provoking questions on individual action and moral responsibility in real-world scenarios. External factors influence people’s decision-making and actions since they are beyond human control.
However, every sane person has a conscious mind that guides their decision-making, giving them the free will to choose right from wrong. Regardless of one’s circumstances, experiences, position in life, and social pressures, every person has the freedom of judgment, which determines their morality. Thus, individual actions are decided freely regardless of determining factors, and people should be held morally responsible.
Works Cited
Cannon, Angie. “Jeffrey Dahmer, Cannibal.” US News and World Report, 1999.
List, Christian. Why Free Will Is Real. Harvard University Press, 2019.
O’Connor. “Without Emotion.” n.d.
Westbrook, Perry D. Free Will and Determinism in American Literature. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2020.
Wiesel, Elie. “A Prayer for the Days of Awe.” New York Times. 1997.