Ursinus Intro Ethics Blog - Section B

Please take a second to answer these three simple questions before reading the rest of the essay. Take it seriously.

Who are you? (name)

Who are you? (personality, thoughts, traits, emotions, hobbies, beliefs)

Why?

How many of you answered the third question with a statement such as “I don’t know, just because I guess” (if you took it seriously that is)? My assumption, if you are anything like me, is that you did not. Instead you attempted to rationalize your ups and downs, ins and outs, and flaws and foibles with some sort of personal history lesson. Your probably cited your childhood, your closest friends, your favorite medias, all to show how they have impacted your being. The truth is our environment is an indefatigable master, pushing the buttons of our self conscious. What specifically about you can you truly say you do not owe at least in part to someone or something before you? Even if it was your own determination and the small help of a role model that got you through some tough times or into Harvard, where did that strength come from? Determinism scares us because it makes us feel useless. But this need not be the case. If you can accept that there are influences all around you, and more importantly that you are a force AS WELL, you will then understand your own importance. For example, as I am influenced to write this by the powers that be in my past, I influence you that you can still do the right thing in the world. In turn, with other positive influences, a certain character might give considerable aid to a charity. This is where determinism transfers successfully into morality, free choice need not apply. We all impact each other every second of every day, which is exactly why we should all try and keep our heads up and spread concepts of positive ethics (what those ethics are is debatable).

Just to further dig free will a grave, take this example. Pretend for a second that you hate bungee jumping. You loathe, fear, and would never even consider attempting it. Free choice would be true if there was an exact instance, during this petrified state of mind, without any outside force, proof, or reason to believe that bungee jumping is safe, you suddenly decided to base jump off the bridge you’re currently walking on. Free choice implies something even crazier than absolute cause and effect; a given scenario where the total opposite of what should happen, happens, with no outside forces. Really contemplate this to its fullest extent and you will find no personal story where “overcoming a fear” refutes this kind of instantaneous impossible action.

- by Lennon Pukowsky