Freedom vs Determinism: A Personal Perspective on Fate and Choice

In the grand philosophical arenas, the debate between predestination and free will has raged on for centuries, with philosophers from Jean-Paul Sartre to Arthur Schopenhauer contributing to the discourse. Sartre famously asserted that 'We are our choices', implying that individuals have complete freedom to shape their destiny. Schopenhauer, however, argued that 'Man can do what he wills but he cannot will what he wills', claiming that our choices and actions are constrained by factors beyond our control, such as biology, psychology, and the environment.

Despite these divergent views, I have a firm belief in free will. I make my choices and I reap the rewards or suffer the consequences. However, I also believe that God or luck might play a subtle role in shaping these outcomes.

The Role of Luck and Initiative

Many philosophers, including Jean-Paul Sartre, have asserted that human beings have complete freedom to shape their destiny. For instance, Sartre famously declared that 'We are our choices'. This statement implies that every choice we make is a manifestation of our freedom. Conversely, Arthur Schopenhauer argued that 'Man can do what he wills but he cannot will what he wills', suggesting that our choices and actions are constrained by factors beyond our control, such as biology, psychology, and the environment.

While these perspectives present a clear dichotomy, I reconcile them by considering the role of both free will and luck in our lives. I firmly believe that human beings have the power to make choices, but there are also elements of luck that can influence the outcomes of these choices. For instance, my new neighbor had a massive tree branch fall into his yard, which required significant effort to remove. Instead of passing the responsibility, my wife and I stepped in to assist him, cutting the tree branch and collecting the wood over several days. We did this not only because it was the right thing to do but also as a gesture of goodwill. I often believe that such actions can attract similar good fortune in return.

The Influence of God and Luck

I like to believe that there might be some benevolent influence of God or luck in our lives. To illustrate, a few weeks ago, my new neighbor had a massive tree branch fall on his property. As an older man in his early 70s, he lacked the necessary equipment, skills, and physical strength to handle this situation alone. My wife and I, along with his wife, worked tirelessly for three days to cut and split the wood. This act of kindness did not come without a reward—a significant reward. Just recently, I learned that my pension fund from a previous employer is going to provide me with a substantial check, amounting to over $137,000. While I cannot definitively attribute this good fortune to God, I do believe that helping my neighbors can potentially attract good luck or divine intervention.

For instance, another neighbor is trying to remove old tree stumps. Once I have the opportunity to rent a stump grinder, I will gladly help him with this task, just because he is my neighbor. Additionally, there is an elderly woman down the street with a large, ugly stump in her front yard, which is beyond her physical capability to remove. When I rent the stump grinder, I plan to offer to help her as well. The elderly woman has difficulty moving around, as she uses a walker to reach the mailbox. Clearly, she doesn't have the resources to hire someone to do the work for her.

Conclusion: Free Will and Determinism Coexist

In the end, I believe that free will and determinism coexist. While our actions are influenced by various factors, ultimately, we have the power to make choices that can shape our lives. However, there are also elements of luck and divine influence that can play a role in these outcomes. By engaging in positive actions and offering assistance to others, we can potentially attract similar good fortune. May our choices and actions lead us to a more fulfilling and meaningful existence.