Determinism is how I would have categorized my mindset on how our script is written- specifically theological determinism. Well, most of the time at least. I would say 70% of my thought process would lean towards determinism and the other 30% free will. However, taking a second to think about the fact that by saying our lives are predetermined by outside factors or in my beliefs by a greater power, God, that could potentially raise the question that people who kill or people who cheat or people who lie should not be held accountable for these decisions-which I do not believe to be a correct statement. Where do we draw the line? I do believe that certain people are born with genes in their bodies that misconstrue their judgment leading them to make irrational decisions. However, there is very few times where I believe determinism is what causes someone to make a poor decision. Is it fair for me to say that with good decisions, determinism can be true and with bad it cannot? This is where I am still wrestling with my thoughts. However, as I dig deeper into this thought, I am challenged to really understand why I believe what I do and why I choose the actions I do. So while yes I do not fully understand my explanation for why I believe determinism rules the majority of my decisions and free will a small portion, I am challenged through others thoughts to really understand why I believe what I do.
Friday, February 6, 2015
Are We Accountable?
Everyday, each of us makes decisions that affect not only our lives, but the lives of people around us. While we have seen through many discussions on who is the author of our life, there are thoughts that we choose the actions that we take and by choosing, we are creating our lives. On the other side of the spectrum the thought is, our lives are predetermined based on a variety of variables and there is no other explanation for why things happen to us other than these variables. Through our understanding of free will and determinism, the question is raised, "If every aspect of our life is fully determined can we be held morally accountable for our actions?" (Who is Writing the Script, 7). Wow, that is a powerful question. Taking a step back and thinking about this question allows us to really evaluate why we believe the theory that free will is how our decisions and life play out or why determinism is how our script is written.
Determinism is how I would have categorized my mindset on how our script is written- specifically theological determinism. Well, most of the time at least. I would say 70% of my thought process would lean towards determinism and the other 30% free will. However, taking a second to think about the fact that by saying our lives are predetermined by outside factors or in my beliefs by a greater power, God, that could potentially raise the question that people who kill or people who cheat or people who lie should not be held accountable for these decisions-which I do not believe to be a correct statement. Where do we draw the line? I do believe that certain people are born with genes in their bodies that misconstrue their judgment leading them to make irrational decisions. However, there is very few times where I believe determinism is what causes someone to make a poor decision. Is it fair for me to say that with good decisions, determinism can be true and with bad it cannot? This is where I am still wrestling with my thoughts. However, as I dig deeper into this thought, I am challenged to really understand why I believe what I do and why I choose the actions I do. So while yes I do not fully understand my explanation for why I believe determinism rules the majority of my decisions and free will a small portion, I am challenged through others thoughts to really understand why I believe what I do.
Determinism is how I would have categorized my mindset on how our script is written- specifically theological determinism. Well, most of the time at least. I would say 70% of my thought process would lean towards determinism and the other 30% free will. However, taking a second to think about the fact that by saying our lives are predetermined by outside factors or in my beliefs by a greater power, God, that could potentially raise the question that people who kill or people who cheat or people who lie should not be held accountable for these decisions-which I do not believe to be a correct statement. Where do we draw the line? I do believe that certain people are born with genes in their bodies that misconstrue their judgment leading them to make irrational decisions. However, there is very few times where I believe determinism is what causes someone to make a poor decision. Is it fair for me to say that with good decisions, determinism can be true and with bad it cannot? This is where I am still wrestling with my thoughts. However, as I dig deeper into this thought, I am challenged to really understand why I believe what I do and why I choose the actions I do. So while yes I do not fully understand my explanation for why I believe determinism rules the majority of my decisions and free will a small portion, I am challenged through others thoughts to really understand why I believe what I do.
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