Humanity s Fate Free Will Or Determinism - 1978 Words

Humanity’s Fate: Free Will or Determinism? Is one s life determined or is it the result of free will? In establishing the answer to this question, it is essential that one understand the difference between the two representations. When one follows the doctrine of determinism, it is as though one has absolutely no control over the various occurrences that take place during one s life. Free will, on the other hand, is the concept of having full authority over one s aspirations and ultimate direction, reflecting the exact opposite of those who adhere to determinism. Having adequately grasped the meaning behind these two divergent perspectives, it can easily be demonstrated that life is one s own responsibility. Instead of leaving all things up to fate, an individual has a significant influence upon his or her own ultimate existence. One may argue that we shape who we are based on every little decision and thing we do. Yes, there are factors that might sway or influence our decisions and what we do, but we are the ones to choose whether those factors will sway or influence our decisions and actions. The essence or nature of a person is not fixed in advance and must be created on his or her own. One can think of it as being your own canvas. You are your own masterpiece. Whether based on what you do and the choices you make, that masterpiece is beautiful or ugly, it is you who created it, and you must be fully aware of that in order to take full responsibility for whoShow MoreRelatedThe Societal Implications Of Free Will Versus Determinism1765 Words   |  8 PagesThe Societal Implications of Free Will Versus Determinism Since antiquity religion and philosophy have grappled with whether humanity truly possesses free will or if our actions and all the events in our lives are merely governed by fate. In the western pagan world the idea of fate laid down by various deities pervaded common thought on the subject. The introduction of Christianity saw this viewpoint wane slightly with its new focus on choosing to complete good deeds and living a christian lifeRead MoreHumanities And Discuss The Role Of Role1468 Words   |  6 Pages1. Define the humanities and discuss the role they play in your life. Stanford humanities center defined the humanities as the study of how people process and document the human experience (Stanford Humanities). In order to understand our world, humans use philosophy, literature, religion, art and music. The knowledge of recording these human experiences gives us an opportunity to focus on our similarities and differences, and also to learn important life’s lesson. The textbook states that throughRead MoreFate and Destiny7886 Words   |  32 Pages\\server05\productn\T\THE\26-1-2\THE1203.txt unknown Seq: 1 26-FEB-07 9:49 Fate and Destiny: Some Historical Distinctions between the Concepts Richard W. Bargdill Saint Francis University Abstract There has been a great deal of attention given to the â€Å"free will versus determinism† debate. However, little attention has been paid to the most common expressions from this controversy—people’s everyday experience of fate and destiny. In fact, fate and destiny are terms that are often used as synonyms as if thereRead MoreA Discussion On Morals And Freedom Essay1486 Words   |  6 PagesPhilosophical discussions on morals and freedom often focus on the issue of free will. This often brings up the question of whether humanity is responsible for all actions or could there be other forces already in play. The amount of evil caused by human fault is a theme located in literature all throughout history starting as early as the book of Genesis when looking at Adam and eve, ranging to Shakespeare s seminal play Macbeth. In the following paper, I will argue that Shakespeare has writtenRead MoreNaturalism Literary Period2601 Words   |  11 Pagesperiod including; man vs. nature, man vs. society, sex trade, wasted potential due to uncontrollable forces, and man’s animalistic features such as basic instincts. Naturalism is a literary movement that developed into a literary style consisting of determinism, objectivity, and pessimism, all in efforts to portray the humanistic perspective in themes and characters. Naturalism and realism are tremendously similar in literary style but their slight difference in details, such as environment and instinctsRead More Choices and Responsibility in Londons To Build a Fire and Cranes The Open Boat1638 Words   |  7 PagesChoices and Responsibility in Londons To Build a Fire and Cranes The Open Boat Naturalism portrays humans control over their actions and fate as limited and determined by the natural world, including their very humanity. The freedom described by Jean-Paul Sartre results in all individuals having the ability to make present choices independently. Despite the fatalism illustrated in naturalism, the characters in Londons To Build a Fire and Cranes The Open Boat are ultimately responsibleRead MoreFate And Free Will : Oedipus Rex1841 Words   |  8 PagesFate and free will have many meanings towards what they mean in Oedipus Rex it’s all based on fate and free will. When your whole life is planned out for you it’s usually fate something you can’t avoid or run away from. Fate is played out in Oedipus Rex although free will happens to be your choice of action which happens to be played out in the play. Oedipus pursed information to seek certain knowledge that he should ve just left alone about his identity. Fate is responsible for Oedipus†™s incestRead MoreHuman Progress: The Vicious Circle Essay1567 Words   |  7 Pagesbe careful about it. However, the problem of progress in itself is not a recent one. Since humanity exists, it has not ceased to progress and every step that humanity took was criticized in its time. So while the need to discuss transhumanism and human enhancement is legitimate, it is also interesting to wonder about human progress in a broader general view. It is undeniable that throughout times, humanity has been progressing in all fields, but what drove humankind to do so and what still drivesRead More Genetic Determinism2854 Words   |  12 PagesGenetic Determinism On Christmas Day in the year 2001, I gave birth to a healthy baby boy. When I looked into the brand-new face of my son I saw a beautiful mystery. I wondered what kind of man my boy would grow to be and what his life would be like. There are those in the scientific community who would argue that my sons path was already determined at the moment of his birth, that his fate could be deciphered from his genetic make-up. As a nurturing mother I know better. At two years old myRead MoreExistentialism, Nihilism, And Objectivism2408 Words   |  10 Pagesimportant questions that one can ask are those of a metaphysical nature. The deeper questions that seek to explain the reason we’re here in the first place, if for any reason at all. It’s easy to get lost in the many differing theories proposed from Determinism to Rationalism to Solipsism to Absurdism the possible theories one can ascribe as correct are endless. But the ones that try to answer those big questions in the most g eneral of terms are the ones that seem to hold the most verisimilitude. Existentialism

Beowulf and Sir Gawain a Comparison of Two Heroes Essay

In Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight there are two heroes that help the present day reader gain insight into what the hero of the Middle Ages would have held as ideals and necessary triumphs. Beowulf and Sir Gawain each fill a different role within their unique societies. Beowulf is a leader and a savior in times of need, willing to go to any length to help another group of people as well as his own kingdom. Sir Gawain is also willing to rise during moments of trouble within his court but lacks the altruism that is inherent in Beowulfs leadership. Although there are many pursuable comparisons within the two tales, the most apparent between the two heroes are that of faith, the men who encouraged them, bravery and the†¦show more content†¦Beowulf affirms this belief when someone got close to the dragon but didnt die; saying So may a man not marked by fate easily escape exile and woe by the grace of God (81). This idea of fate is carried through as Beowulf fight s the dragon and dies. That final day was the first time when Beowulf fought and fate denied him glory in battle again attributing all his previous successes and his ultimate collapse to the power of God. Faith is also a prominent figure within Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Gawains faith in God is shown when he is regularly praying to God for protection and forgiveness before his trip or his challenge with the Green Knight. Sir Gawain is perpetually referencing to God, saying, as God allows, by the Lords decree, and in Gods own name to give the impression that he truly relies on God for guidance and strength (199-201). Gawain starts to reference to God much more the closer he gets to his face-off with the Green Knight. Finally turning over his fate to God, Gawain prays that I shall not give way to weeping; Gods will be done, amen! I commend me to his keeping (202). Gawain and Beowulf both reflect the idea that the fate God has chosen for you is an inescapable certainty, no doubt reflecting the beliefs of their time. Beowulf and Gawain both had key figures within their tale that influenced the struggles they faced. Beowulf wasShow MoreRelatedThe Cultural Values And The Archetypal Patterns Of The Novel Hero With A Thousand Faces 1331 Words   |  6 Pages Throughout the world of literature, heroes or protagonists are often characters created by culture. Through these characters, we discover the faults and the virtuous qualities that this time period had to offer. As the heroes make their way through the journey, the reader learns the culture through the character’s actions and mistakes. For instance, in the early Middle Ages, women were seen as inferior and were not put on a pedestal, unlike their deception during the Late Middle Ages after theRead MoreCompare and Contrast of Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight600 Words   |  3 PagesCompare and Contrast of Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Beowulf is an epic poem that was written in the Anglo-Saxon time period where only a few privileged people were able to read and write while Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, which is also an epic poem, was written in the Middle English time period where reading and writing was more wide-spread. While both the epic poem Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight have similar protagonists, the main character of each poem also hasRead More Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Beowulf Essay499 Words   |  2 PagesSir Gawain and the Green Knight and Beowulf â€Å"My body, but for your blood, is barren of worth; And tis I have asked for this folly not fit for a King.† These are the words of a true hero. One who is willing to sacrifice his own existence for the life of another. These are the words and actions of Sir Gawain, a character from the beloved British tale, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Beowulf, another character from an ancient British epic entitled, Beowulf, is also portrayed as a â€Å"heroRead MoreThe Separate Journeys Of Beowulf And Sir Gawain1761 Words   |  8 Pagesof Beowulf and Sir Gawain The purpose of the hero in literature has evolved through time, and there is no denying the differences of two medieval heroic archetypes, Beowulf, and Sir Gawain. In both poems, the hero is faced with several different tests, each with proposed solutions and goals. Anglo-Saxon epic and romantic stories focus on the central hero who stands alone as the ideal example of perfected chivalry. Even though there are countless similarities that both manuscripts share, Sir GawainRead More Essay Comparing the Role Models in Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight2261 Words   |  10 PagesRole Models in Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Excellence has always been a virtue revered by society. Writers throughout the ages have tried to capture the essence of excellence in their works, often in the form of a title character, who is the embodiment of perfection, encapsulating all the ideal traits necessary for one to be considered an excellent member of society. However, the standards for excellence are not universally agreed upon. On the contrary, one mans idea ofRead MoreLoyalty : Fate And The Chance Of Survival1629 Words   |  7 PagesFelicity Miller Professor Donavan Monster and Marvels 14, October 2014 Loyalty: Fate and the Chance of Survival in Zipe’s Fairytales, Beowulf, and Gilgamesh Many different themes and topics are brought up in Zipe’s fairytales, Beowulf and Gilgamesh. An important theme that occurs in many of these stories is loyalty. In each story the common goal of loyalty is to create a strong feeling of support and allegiance to a kingdom, person, property, agreement, or item of importance. These strong feelings

Jaws and Gothic Elements Free Essays

Gothic Elements In Jaws In June of 1995, Director Steven Spielberg released a terrifying thriller called Jaws. In this film a gigantic great white shark terrorizes a small island, which is solely dependent on its beach for revenue. This movie was so scary because it is much more likely happen, unlike a zombie apocalypse or alien attack. We will write a custom essay sample on Jaws and Gothic Elements or any similar topic only for you Order Now People were so afraid of shark attacks they stayed far away from the beaches. Spielberg used gothic elements in his movie Jaws. The way he used them scared and still scares people today. The scene I chose is where Hooper finds Ben Gardener’s sunken boat. Leading up to this scene Hooper and Broody are on Hoper’s boat and Hooper is going to dive into the water to search for the elusive shark. When Hooper dives he diving by a Ben Gardener’s shark ravaged boat. One of the gothic elements Spielberg used In this scene was his choice of music and how he used it to set up the scene. For example, when Hooper started to approach the boat. The music got more intense and right when a human head pops out from the hole in the boat the music stops and it makes it very climatic because you were expecting the shark to come and attack him but instead a scary head pops out from the hole in the boat. Spielberg makes you think that the shark is going to attack Hooper because Hooper finds a huge shark tooth in the side of the boat. So when the music stops and the head pops out it is very surprising and scary. Another gothic element is the camera angle during this scene. The camera Is positioned directly behind Hooper, as he Is scuba diving around the wreckage of the ship. This gives you the feeling of being right there with Hooper and makes you feel claustrophobic because there Is nowhere else to look the right over his shoulder. This sakes the scene so much more scary and intense. Other horror elements are the lighting, props, and makeup. Spielberg made the lighting very dim and spooky. He did this on purpose because the scene was supposed to be a creepy scene. It made it harder to make out what was going on. The prop head that was used during this scene had a very creepy makeup done on it. The head was made to look like it was under there for a little bit and it was Just starting to decompose, which made it scary. Spielberg knew exactly what he was doing with this film. His use of gothic elements made it the extremely popular thriller It was. Without these elements the vie has no chill factor and would not be as successful as It was and still Is today. Jaws and Gothic Elements By Emily Gothic Elements in Jaws One of the gothic elements Spielberg used in this scene was his choice of music and Another gothic element is the camera angle during this scene. The camera is positioned directly behind Hooper, as he is scuba diving around the wreckage of the claustrophobic because there is nowhere else to look the right over his shoulder. This elements made it the extremely popular thriller it was. Without these elements the movie has no chill factor and would not be as successful as it was and still is today. How to cite Jaws and Gothic Elements, Papers