Freedom vs. Determination
Are we determined or are we free? This is a question that is hotly debated on both sides of the issue. Determinists would say that we, as humans, are determined through our society, religion, and, most of all, by our families. However, supporters of free will would have arguments for each of these same points in their favor. I say that no matter which way one approaches this subject one finds both, free will and determinism, in each of these arguments.
Society, for one, can be seen as determining one's public behavior, moral responsibility, and how one is to survive in today's environment. So how does society determine these points? Well, that's simple.
Public behavior is set by the limits of general decency, as well as, its conventional standard of politeness. Someone can't go outside without the proper clothing nor can they wear something that would be considered offensive in the view of society's dictation. "Good manners" and a pleasant demeanor are essential to one's dealings with others. Without them, you would surely be considered an outcast.
The next aspect determined by society is that of moral responsibility. This point is held in high regard to the efficient functioning of society as a whole. To facilitate this purpose, we are bound to educate our children with the understanding of what is right and what is wrong. We instill in them that they will be held accountable for their actions and that there are consequences to each action.
Lastly, in order to obtain the "necessities" of survival, one must contribute something that society views as valuable and rewarding to the whole. By this I mean, acquiring and maintaining a job, paying your taxes, and supporting the community. This in turn provides one with the necessary money, status and security for their "happiness."
An excellent illustration of society determining the lives of its members is depicted in Aldous Huxley's Brave New World. (Huxley) In his short story, people are cloned to produce the seemingly perfect society. This is accomplished by creating four separate classes of humans each with its specific social function. The society, under the guidance of one man, pre-programs these clones to perform two distinctive purposes. One purpose was to maintain separation of the classes, so as to keep the gene pool "clean." The other purpose was to provide a consumer base for their industry. While some classes benefited from this arrangement, others inevitably bore more of the burden. Not only did this society determine social order, but personal contribution as well.
Conversely, in Margaret Atwood's The Edible Woman, we see the effect of free will on society's determination. (Atwood) Atwood's main character, Marian, struggles with society's constraints on how the "female" is to behave. Marian devours a cake in the shape of a woman to make for a very powerful metaphor against determination. She doesn't wish to be "assimilated" into the package that would be socially acceptable. Her free will prevails and she is her own individual.
Society can also be viewed as the manifestation of free will. As citizens of the United States we are guaranteed, under our various legal and governing doctrines, certain rights. We are guaranteed the right of free speech, the right to practice our religion, (Constitution) and the pursuit of our personal happiness; (Declaration) just to name a few. So, by design, society ensures our ability to express our freedom.
Freedom of speech allows us, as individuals, to express our views and opinions; given that we don't infringe on the right's of another. We express this right by protesting, writing our government representatives or simply debating an issue with friends. The right to vote is another form of free speech in that it allows us to choose suitable representatives and legal reform. Our opinions and ideas can truly be our own without being censored. Of course, there are consequences that accompany this freedom.
Freedom of religion is important to our free will. It allows us to express our beliefs in the religious creed that fits our convictions. We, as individuals, have an innate need for forgiveness and protection. We decide which religion to practice depending on the degree of our personal needs. There is no restriction, in America, to which religion one practices; if any at all.
However, if one takes a closer look at the inner-workings of any religion, one soon discovers that it is designed to determine one's lifestyle. Religion determines your morals, standards of decency, methods of rearing your children, and even how to have "proper" sex. By accepting a religion, one commits to the "just" life of the loyal follower.
The disciple's morals are dictated to them through the words or actions of the religion's supreme being(s). Each religion has detailed guidelines in their various writings. Such as, Moses delivering God's commandments unto His children as depicted in the Holy Bible (New) or Allah's revelations to Mohammed related in the Sacred Koran. (Encarta) These doctrines are clear and concise; leaving no room for misinterpretation.
The common theme throughout many religious doctrines is that of the family unit. Most religions stress an authoritarian structure with the father/male as the family head; who is not to be challenged or disobeyed. Many of these doctrines even go so far as to dictate how to procreate, how many children to have, and when the proper time to have them is. Basically, every aspect of the family's structure is determined by the chosen religion.
This leads us to how the family determines the individual. The family plays an intricate part in the determination of one's religion, political orientation, social class, educational goals, and, of course, what you are going to look like.
Following the religious doctrine, the family decides for the child what religion they will practice. For example, in Catholicism, the parent oversees the child's religious growth from baptism at birth to child's confirmation in their teens. The child is molded by their parent in that they are only exposed to the family's chosen religion.
The family also determines the social status and political orientation of the child. One is born into and hardly escapes the social class that the family is labeled with. This can also be said about political orientation in that most children take on the view of their parents. Contrary to the American dream, social class and political orientation are determined more by family tradition than individual opinion.
When discussing family determination, one is forced to acknowledge that one is physically determined by the combination of genes handed down by our ancestors. "...formed character is, without a doubt, partly dependent on the external factors of heredity and environment." (Campbell) In other words, an individual is nothing more than the sum of the parts.
This is not to say that free will doesn't exist in the family structure. Some families allow a degree of free will in that a child can be encouraged to pursue interests or develop talents. For example, a child who shows an aptitude in science or displays athletic ability with the right family support could flourish to their highest potential. A multitude of choices that a child makes within the framework of the family are made without the influence of the family. ". . . the mark and seal of parental control, Man is yet free, during his brief years, to examine, to criticize, to know, and in imagination to create." (Betrand) Thus, a child has a certain level of free will.
So to answer the question, we are both determined and, in some aspects, free-willed. There is no way to separate them for they are two halves of the same whole. By this I mean, that in order to be free-willed, one must have a level of determination to go against and vice-versa. Trying to analyze one without considering the influence of the other would not produce an informed result for they go hand in hand.
Works Cited
Atwood, Margaret. "The Edible Woman." Philosophy: A Literary and Conceptual Approach. Third Edition. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Incorporated, 1995. pp 41-49.
Betrand, Russel. "A Free Man's Worship." Philosophy: A Literary and Conceptual Approach. Third Edition. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Incorporated, 1995. pp 395-400.
Campbell, C.A. "In Defense of Free Will." Philosophy: A Literary and Conceptual Approach. Third Edition. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Incorporated, 1995. pp 277-285.
Constitution of the United States of America. The Harvard Classics: American Historical Documents. Third Edition. Danbury, Connecticut: Grolier Enterprises Corporation, 1994. pp 180-198.
Declaration of Independence. The Harvard Classics: American Historical Documents. Third Edition. Danbury, Connecticut: Grolier Enterprises Corporation, 1994. pp 150-155.
Encarta: The Complete Interactive Multimedia Encyclopedia. "Sacred Koran." 1995 Edition. CD-ROM. Phoenix, Arizona: Microsoft Corporation, 1995.
Huxley, Aldous. "Brave New World." Philosophy: A Literary and Conceptual Approach. Third Edition. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Incorporated, 1995. pp 242-247.
New Catholic Translation Bible, The. Revised Edition. Nashville, Tennessee: Catholic Bible Press, 1987.
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