I had to go back in time while bringing my thoughts together to write this topic. I went back to when I first use to hear the word "free will," and the meaning I often give it back then, which is different from the way it is now, or let's say it's different form the way I see it now. Back then free will simply means the freedom to do whatever I wanted. Well, it's obviously not the same now, it is way more complicated than that simple definition I gave it then.
I guess it was because I was just growing up then, but the older I get the more I realized that a lot of things are involved. The world we live in is one filled with various laws, rules, traditions, expectations, cultures and all, and that is how you get to see and understand what society deems fit and what they do not. So, the more you look at it, the more you feel if there's really anything like free will, because it's more like our lives and all are already mapped out in a certain way they want it to be. You can't just decide to be anything, or to chase any dream that the society do not entirely subscribe to.
Even still, I will say we have it but not the way we think we do/should.
Look at our normal everyday life and the way we do things. We make certain decisions ourselves, we choose our friends, we choose the people we relate with and pour into, we choose our various approaches that a matter, we choose the way we want to treat people. We choose to either be bitter or better after going through a tough and trying time. Even though you may want to argue that society also contributes to all of these choices of ours, I will still like to also add that they don't completely control or have authority over it.
A Bible story came to mind, and it was that of Adam and Eve in the beautiful garden of Eden where God placed them. He gave them everything they need, even with that, he left them with a choice. Either obey me and do what I ask you to do or disobey me and do what I ask you to stay away from. Though a lot of people, pastors, apostles, theologians and all have argued and interpreted that part of the Bible their own different way, one thing stands still for me, it is that God Himself allowed them (Adam and Eve) to have a choice. He gave room for free will. And this brings me to the understanding that without choice, obedience wouldn't count.
Now, the society/world we live in places certain embargo on us, which is understandable. Imagine me driving recklessly and you expect that nothing should be done while I pose a risk to the lives and properties of others. So, the limit or embargo placed on us do not in any way take away the freewill that I have, not at all, they are just there to remind me that whatever choice I make come with its own consequences/results.
So, about if we really do have free will. I will say we do. Even when the government construct a road, they might still do an overhead bridge and make certain U-turns around it which at the end of the day all of it still lead to the same destination, but then, we have the choice of taken wherever we want after putting certain things like speed limit, traffic, security operatives, time and other things into consideration. Other days you can choose to trek, or ride a public transport even though you have your own personal car at home. What I'm saying is, certain choices belong to you and you alone.
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Images are AI generated.
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