I noticed that a lot of differing ideologies take a very different approach towards free choice. Some people think that everyon has the same choices and available options, so when an action occurs (ie dropping out of school) they view it as a result of free choice. But is free choice ever really free, or are our choices the result of environment, upbringing, etc.
Free choice really free?
- Thread starter D-Boy
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Everyone has a choice, whether you choose to exercise it depends on the individual. I hate the thought of everyone grouping blacks and latins as stupid ghetto folk who cant make a positive choice because of environment. There are plenty of black/latins who lived in the ghetto and chose to make a better life for themselves and their families. Maybe they just had the balls to do it and others dont? Either way, its all a choice.
Obviously, we are all products of our environments. Just look at the statistics. Numbers cannot lie.
I really get pissed off at the typical republican argument. They take one person from the ghetto that “made it” and glorify it as proof that we all have the same opportunities as the next man. But everyone knows over 90% of our politicians went to private school.
I really get pissed off at the typical republican argument. They take one person from the ghetto that “made it” and glorify it as proof that we all have the same opportunities as the next man. But everyone knows over 90% of our politicians went to private school.
^^ exactly. to some extent, everyone does have some choice in their lives. but when their choices are altered because of something beyond their control, like the influences of society, can any choice they make ever truly be free? i think its naive to think that everyone has a "free" choice in everything in their lives because of environmental, psychological factors, etc.
@TOKZTLI, think about it this way.... say Billy is born into a rich family. he goes to private school, receives tutoring, etc. his family pressures him into being a doctor early on in his life, and eventually he becomes a doctor. if you ask him if he is the one who made the choice to become a doctor, he says yes. BUT, was the choice TRULY free? you cannot say that it is indisputably, because of all the pressure he recieved that pushed him in that direction. if he had never received any outside influence, would he have made the same choice? you really cannot say that he would have.
the point i'm trying to make is that at least some part of our decisions are out of our control, and upon recognizing that, it is unfair to blame/reward solely the individual for something that may have in some part been beyond their control.
@TOKZTLI, think about it this way.... say Billy is born into a rich family. he goes to private school, receives tutoring, etc. his family pressures him into being a doctor early on in his life, and eventually he becomes a doctor. if you ask him if he is the one who made the choice to become a doctor, he says yes. BUT, was the choice TRULY free? you cannot say that it is indisputably, because of all the pressure he recieved that pushed him in that direction. if he had never received any outside influence, would he have made the same choice? you really cannot say that he would have.
the point i'm trying to make is that at least some part of our decisions are out of our control, and upon recognizing that, it is unfair to blame/reward solely the individual for something that may have in some part been beyond their control.
D-Boy - You made an articulate and intelligent argument. I see your point and I'm not saying every choice is in a vacuum. But what if Billy, to use your example, chose to snort some meth, and pretty soon finds himself sucking dick for it and sells all his shit and also chooses to pass on medical school. Now his family disowned him and he has no home, just panhandles in Seattle or something. That would be an example of free choice on his part. Can he blame the government for cutting down interest rates, or NASDAQ for gaining 10 points in September or maybe the ICE for granting more Visa cards to immigrants. Of course not. I mean where does personal responsibility for ones destiny end, and the product of an environment begin. Pretty soon, no one will be responsible for anything in their life because they can point the finger at Bush and the Republicans/Democrats or their local mayor or whatever.
@ Dmac Nasty - good point. Every choice is narrowed down by the one you made previously.
@ Dmac Nasty - good point. Every choice is narrowed down by the one you made previously.
