Essay

Free Will in Daily Life

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Course
PHIL2600

Institution
Lakeland College ( )

When an individual exercises free will it means that the actions of the individual have not in any way been influenced by any physical, social, metaphysical or mental factors. The extent to which an individual can put into exercise their free will in society has been a topic of discussion for many ...

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Uploaded on April 28, 2021
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Free Will in Daily Life

When an individual exercises free will it means that the actions of the individual have not

in any way been influenced by any physical, social, metaphysical or mental factors. The extent to

which an individual can put into exercise their free will in society has been a topic of discussion

for many decades. It is true that society shapes our thinking, what we belief, as well as our

attitudes toward different aspects of life. It is, therefore, impossible for anybody to have a truly

original or authentic thought, i.e. free of influence by one factor or another. When an individual

does an action for them to be recognized by the society is actually the opposite of free will (Plato

228). The existence of free will in society brings out the existence of morality since with no free

will there is absence of morality in the society.

On August 29th 2017 a new scientific study found out that the rate of doping in

international sports was more than previously indicated by the international body against doping.

According to science daily up to 30 percent of the athletes in the international association of

athletics federation world championships and about 45 percent of athletes participating in the pan

Arab games in the year 2012 claimed at some point to have used drugs or used other methods

illegal performance enhancement. Out of this large number only a fraction of the cases were

detected biologically while most of the others went undetected. According to a journal of sports

medicine, a randomized response type of investigation was used in an aim to question over 3000

athletes. The question posed to athletes was whether at any point had used any kind of doping.

, Surname 2

This investigative method was favorable because it ensured anonymity of athlete’s response and

it gave them a chance to answer without any form of fear of unfavorable consequences.

According to the findings of the investigation, a section of athletes reported to have used

performance enhancing substances out of free will. Of course there is an option of practicing

hard and achieving the results but some of the athletes out of free will choose to go for doping. In

the year 2016 Shawnacy Barber from Canada who participates in the pole vault event tested

positive for doping (The Independent). The extent to which the Canadian athlete chose to act out

of free will is evident since he had to make the free will decision so as to improve his

performance. Indeed he had an option of practicing hard to better his performance but he made a

choice to freely use doping and he was well conversant with the consequences. Because he knew

that the substance he took was banned and he well understood the consequences of his actions,

thus his attempts to deny it, Mr. Barber acted in his own free will.

Observation has been made that those professors of philosophy who deny the existence of

free will only do so in their professional moments in their studies and in their lectures since when

it comes to doing anything practical they behave like they are free while making certain

decisions. All individuals including the professors at some point will inquire what we prefer may

be for dinner or what to wear. The elderly will question a child on why they told a lie and the

elderly will choose to either punish the child, reprimand them, or not (Plato 227). All this cases

are actions of free will. The society has put in place norms values and various laws that govern

the members of the society. Society dictates that the laws set should be adhered to and followed

to the letter, these laws and norms are applicable at all times. Though it is in the nature of

humans to break laws and it has been taking place since a very long time, this does not mean that

these members of the society act out of free will at all times.

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