Essay about The Question of Free Will Versus Fate - 910 Words

The question of free will--the idea that we are free to make decisions unhindered by external forces--is very disconcerting to deal with because most people are not willing to accept that we are not in control of our lives. It is also controversial because it wrestles with the idea of a world possibly without moral responsibility. If there is no free will how do we hold a person responsible for molesting someone or for stealing? If someone actually didnt decide to do either of those things but rather was just going through the motions then it doesnt seem right to hold them culpable. Consider the concept of free will in the example of walking on the street and find a wallet with $200 inside of it. Do you sent it back to the†¦show more content†¦A common argument is that any final choice we make is simply a feeling inside of us that makes the conclusion on whether to take the wallet or not. The external and internal factors may lean us toward a decision but ultimately we have the last say. Yet, still questions arise to this such as why do we make this final decision if not from these factors? Where did these morals or whatever the case may be come from? It is difficult to argue for the concept of fate or determinism and say this was all planned out from the beginning of time knowing some things in nature happen randomly-- meaning given the same circumstances two opposite results can and often do happen (Heisenbergs Uncertainty Principle). One factor of thisprinciple is illustrated with the example that if you throw a ball against a wall it will bounce off in the same direction each time. However, if you take an atom and throw it off a wall there are endless directions it ricochets when repeated. If one argues that a decision they made came from nowhere, nothing affected a man/woman to have them and are completely random, then they are not ones choices at all--just a roll of the dice which the person has no control over. The same problem arises if the arg ument comes up that either our decisions or personalities come from God. The first problem would be proving the existence of God. The second and more prevailing argument is that even if it is found our attributes and/orShow MoreRelatedTheme Of Fate In Oedipus708 Words   |  3 Pagesthat fate has led him to be ignorant of his the fact that those he considers his parents are not really his biological parents. The play portrays Oedipus as a man with much love for his family. Though he wishes to see his parents, he vows not to return to his home in Corinth for fear of falling into fate’s hands. Had he known who his parents are beforehand, he never would have slain his father and married his mother. His actions are noble and meant for the greater good however, twist of fate corruptRead MoreThe Themes Of Ambition In Shakespeares Macbeth853 Words   |  4 Pagesare many different themes displayed in Shakespeares famous play Macbeth. Many of these themes play with nature, the supernatural, and fate. From ghosts to horses eating each other the play uses symbolism, language, and characters to portray these themes. During the play the audience learns of several themes such as ambition, guilt, fate versus free will, nature versus the unnatural, and how things are not always as they seem. Anyone who has read or seen Macbeth knows that his great undoing was hisRead MoreFate Vs Fate Essay1649 Words   |  7 PagesFate can be thought about as life being predetermined for the entirety of your days. From the early writings from Homer, specifically in the poem, The Iliad, there is a clear representation of whether it is free will or fate after all. Although we may never know whether there is a predetermined path or rather just free, it can only make one wonder. For most Greek Mythology, it is been evident that most of people’s decisions were not free will but rather fate itself. While people think they have freeRead MoreFree Will : Ancient Literature1536 Words   |  7 PagesConcept of Free Will: Ancient Literature in the West Free will is considered to be a philosophical term for a course of action among many possible options. It is a topic that almost every philosopher has debated for over two millennia. â€Å"Free will is defined as the ability to select a course of action as a means of fulfilling some desire† (O’Connor, 2002). Many philosophers think that free will is closely associated with moral responsibility as well as freedom of action. Free will is a human necessityRead More Fate Versus Free Will Essay1746 Words   |  7 PagesFate Versus Free Will Fate, as described in the Oxford English Dictionary, is â€Å"The principle, power, or agency by which, according to certain philosophical and popular systems of belief, all events, or some events in particular, are unalterably predetermined from eternity.† To the western world, fate is perceived as â€Å"a sentence or doom of the gods† (Oxford). They often sought prophecies of the gods, especially from Apollo, the god of knowledge. The Greeks would seek prophecies usually whenRead More Fate and Free Will in Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart Essay1232 Words   |  5 PagesFate and Free Will in Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart   Ã‚  Ã‚   The tragic story of Okonkwo in Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart offers many examples of Igbo beliefs regarding free will and fate. Religious life for the Igbo was thoroughly intertwined with secular life. According to the text, the Igbo believed in fate; that nothing happened by chance as every happenstance was the result of Chukwu or Gods will. Yet the Igbo also believed that ancestors, lesser gods, and their own chi or personalRead More Adam in Miltons Paradise Lost Essay1603 Words   |  7 PagesParadise Lost: Fates Ruler - and Subject A central problem in John Miltons Paradise Lost in the theological issue of free will versus fate, a traditionally much-debated question. Free will is the condition of having control or direction over fate or destiny; the individual shapes his life and future through his actions. The opposing view, complete lack of free will (made famous by John Calvin), is predestination, which expresses the idea that our futures have been foreseen long before ourRead MoreDiscourse on Metaphysics by Leibniz Essays612 Words   |  3 Pageshappens in the world. With such a reality there would be no use for free will and whatever fate succumbs an individual is the will of the Most High; in other words, being destined. But for Leibniz, this is not the determined reality of humanity. Leibniz asserts, that it is God and only God, who has the insight of mans greatest reality. And man is unable to derive all of what he is, and is to become. For only God can foresee his fate. Leibniz suggest it is the perfect and good outcome, that God hasRead MoreSimilarities Between Oedipus Rex And The Kite Runner1391 Words   |  6 PagesFate versus Destiny: Is divine justice righteous when fate or destiny is present? Oedipus Rex and The Kite Runner are both profound works of literature that share two immensely universal themes, those themes being fate/free will and divine justice. These two themes are quite prominent throughout both pieces of writing and serve to facilitate a very humanistic connection between the audience and the story. Although both of these stories consist of the two themes mentioned, they each express themRead MoreCandide, Macbeth and Oedipus Rex1525 Words   |  6 PagesIn Candide, Macbeth and Oedipus Rex, fate and free will are always two opposing themes reflect on major characters. Fate is a belief that the future is predetermined, and it’s truly impossible to convert the consequence. No matter how people endeavor, the same thing will happen because that is what is supposed to occur. It’s also the philosophy that everything happens for a reason or relates to the God, things don’t happen â€Å"just because†. Free will is a constant concept tha t people act freely upon

The Debate On Nuclear Energy - 1800 Words

The debate on nuclear energy and it’s potential stake in South Africa’s future has proven to be a contentious topic, with issues like transparency overshadowing the advantages the energy source could bring to the country. The prospect of nuclear energy as a primary source of energy is supported and questioned by various academics, researchers and NGO’s. The threats that accompany the thought of the deal are not just environmental. The nuclear deal has incited response from political, economical and ethical realms. In this essay, I will assume the role of an advisor to government, suggesting ways to promote and ‘sell’ the idea of bringing nuclear energy to South Africa. To form and provide a proper response to block threats and emphasise†¦show more content†¦Up until this point, plans for new nuclear build programmes were communicated in a transparent manner. After the signing of the Rosatom contract, the state law advisor suggested that the contract be tabled and presented to parliament for discussion under section 231.2 of the South African Constitution. However, Minister Joemat-Petterson tabled it in the form of section 231.3 instead, side stepping parliamentary debate and approval. The deal was then allegedly approved by the National Executive on the 9th of December 2015. Government Gazette, a state notice board, confirmed that the minister approved the deal and also mentioned that previous energy minister Ben Martins set the wheel in motion by signing a determination in 2013, that procures nuclear energy. A claim he vehemently denies (Mackay, 2015). The confirmation of the deal quickly replaced the previous air of transparency with looming, dark clouds of suspicion. The signed deal along with the refusal by the minister to supply information of the nuclear procurement process to Parliament’s energy affairs portfolio committee, increased reservations that the process wasn t being handled in a transparent mann er (Ensor, 2016). The way the nuclear issue was being handled caught theShow MoreRelatedEconomic And Environmental Pros And Cons Of Nuclear Power1411 Words   |  6 PagesENVIRONMENTAL PROS AND CONS OF NUCLEAR POWERSTATION IN UK â€Å"HARTLEPOOL† A nuclear debate on the fuel cycle to the key economic and environmental advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power was held on the 3rd of March 2016 in Coventry University 212GED oil gas students. My acting role as EdF Witness local employee from Sizewell Nuclear Power Station was to stand in favor of â€Å"Pro nuclear†. The debate was to discuss why the committee should agree to deploy a nuclear power station in HeartlepoolRead MoreCritical Response Essay893 Words   |  4 PagesCritical Response Essay The real debate - the pipe-dream or nuclear? Mark Kenny The Nation Mark Kennys article on the coal power versus nuclear power debate was published in the Advertiser on the 31st of October 2009. The Advertiser is South Australias only daily tabloid newspaper, and is widely distributed around South Australia allowing for a large dispersion of readers from diverse cultural backgrounds and an assortment of age groups. The article has Mark Kennys photograph situatedRead MoreNuclear Power And Its Effects On The World1610 Words   |  7 Pagesfuel energy has disrupted Earth’s equilibrium. Sanders calls for alternative energy in America; hailing countries that have transformed their fossil fuel dependency. Nuclear power is a relevant factor in alternative energy for policy-makers. In the 1950’s, anticipation for nuclear energy was very high, people thought that new advancements in nuclear energy would make electricity free. Nuclear power was successfully implemented for commercial use in 1954 Russia. Since then a total of 438 nuclear reactors Read More Nuclear Energy: The New Green Energy Alternative? Essay1025 Words   |  5 Pages The nuclear energy debate has persisted for decades. Those who strongly oppose it argue that its benefits, such as carbon-free emissions and low fuel costs, are almost irrelevant when the risk posed by radioactive waste and reactor meltdowns are factored in. The problem revolves around how little waste storage is prioritized in the planning stages of a reactor, including the locations of waste storage, leading to a surplus of radioactive waste at reactor sites. With the progress being madeRead MoreNuclear Energy And Fossil Fuel992 Words   |  4 PagesThroughout centuries the debate on what is better the use of nuclear energy or the using of fossil fuel? People over the years have been debating on a realistic way on saving energy but also having an efficient amount of energy to generate millions of homes and places. The two sources of energy that are mostly used are nuclear energy and fossil fuels. Often people say that nuclear energy is the best approach while others believe it is the burning of fossil fuels. These two sources of energy have their ownRead MoreNuclear Energy Boon or Bane1430 Words   |  6 PagesDiscussion Ideas: Nuclear Ener†¦ Next Blog » Create Blog Sign In Group Discussion Ideas An important step in interviews Home Topics About me Learn the art of Living Some positive thoughts You can suggest a new group discussion topic by posting a comment. FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2011 Nuclear Energy in India - Boon or Bane? Points to be known:Nuclear power is the fourth-largest source of electricity in India after thermal, hydroelectric and renewable sources of electricity. There are 442 nuclear reactors in theRead MorePosition Statement-The Use of Nuclear Energy765 Words   |  4 Pages Despite the fact the countries continue to increase the production of nuclear energy, my position is that new nuclear power plants should not continue to be built. The current use of nuclear power should be carefully evaluated with a plan to slowly decrease production throughout the world. The negative implications to the environment and economy support my position. The production of nuclear energy is not as safe and clean as some say that it is. The Oxford Research Group released aRead MoreResearch On Nuclear Power And Ethics1592 Words   |  7 PagesRESEARCH PAPER-1 NUCLEAR POWER AND ETHICS NAME - AMAN CHAWLA SJSUID - 010040030 Introduction: The surprising realization of potentially irreversible effects on the planet and the living beings due to the continued growth and development of human race has welcomed in a new period of environmental ethical debate. As we get more acquainted with the after effects of continuously burning fossil fuels, the more we start looking for alternatives. As indicated by the 2012 World Energy Outlook, the InternationalRead MoreNuclear Power And Its Effect On The Environment1347 Words   |  6 PagesNuclear power plays a pivotal role in our lives. Nuclear power seems to be the only way to help human beings go through energy crisis and climate change. These two problems threaten global security and the stability of the environment. There are several advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power, so my essay is focusing on what British people really think of nuclear energy. Overview UK’s first nuclear reactor called Calder Hall was built in Sellafield in 1956. Now the UK has 18 nuclearRead MoreThe Debate Over Nuclear Waste1240 Words   |  5 Pagesestablished that energy cannot be created nor destroyed and it could not be made out of nothing according the law of conservation of energy. The way that science explains the phenomenon of energy conservation is by portraying the conservation of energy as a physical transfer of energy between mediums through various forms such as heat, sound, and light. Since the discovery of fire in the early days of humanity, it can be understood that heat is the most versatile form of energy. On the expense of

Three Main Events that Caused the Escalation of the Cold war free essay sample

For example they did decide on a few new things but the main focus lies on the disagreements. The decision to set up a coalition government in Poland was not honored by the Soviets who removed all the ex-members of the Polish government in London who had been allowed into the new coalition government by Stalin at Yalta. They also disagreed on the size of the German reparations and the Soviets demand for a bas in the Mediterranean. So it is clear that the first disagreements and therefore the roots of the mistrust between the East and he West began at Potsdam.Although not the only event that caused relations between the two sides to deteriorate it was certainly one of the main ones. The second event is Churchill Iron Curtain speech on March 1946 where he described the Soviet block as an Iron Curtain and suggested a tougher approach towards it. We will write a custom essay sample on Three Main Events that Caused the Escalation of the Cold war or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In other words, with this speech, Britains ex-Prime Minister had made the call for firmer action by the West against the threat of communism. In order to meet this Soviet expansion, he called for an alliance between Britain and the ASSAI.Britains Prime Minister at the time, Attlee, had not been informed of the speech but did not disagree with its content and later thanked Churchill. Truman on the other hand had read the speech before hand and was present when it was given. Although the speech was not well perceived by the American public, Truman and his advisers privately thought that if fell into line with Traumas Iron Fist approach; unless Russia is faced with an iron fist and strong language another war is in the making. In Moscow the speech received a hysterical response from Stalin who saw it as a liberate provocation and accused Churchill of being a warmonger. From then on relations between East and West reached a new low. The Truman Doctrine did not deteriorate relations between East and West as much as the Marshall Plan. After the defeat Of Nazi Germany the civil war that was going on in Greece between the monarchists and the communists came more into focus. The British helped restore the royal government into power despite resistance from the communists however the draining impact of WI was being felt. In February 1947 they warned the USA that they could not maintain troops in Greece.Truman could not let yet another eastern European state fall into the hands of communists so in March 1947 Truman issued the Truman Doctrine, which was designed as a response to the situation in Greece. Since Stalin kept to his agreement with Churchill that Greece was an area of British influence and did nothing to directly help the Greek Communists one cannot really say that the Truman Doctrine further deteriorated relations between East and West. The Marshall Plan on the other hand which was a plan to provide IIS financial support to war-torn Europe ad a more visible effect on the relations between the two sides.In theory the Marshal aid was available for any European country but in practice it went to only to countries that provided economic records ad opened up their economy to US capitalist interests I. E. Western Europe. The conditions imposed on the right to apply for the aid made it so that it was impossible for communist states to apply without a fundamental change to their system. The Soviet Union viewed the Marshall aid as nothing more than an attack on communism. The Soviet foreign minister, Molotov, condemned it as a foreign interference in the states of Europe and labeled the plan dollar imperialism. The ISRC effectively declared war on the Marshall Plan by tightening their hold over Eastern Europe through the setting up of TV0 organizations. Conform, an organization to coordinate communist parties and groups thought out Europe set up in 1947, and Common, an organization that provided economic assistance to the countries of Eastern Europe set up in 1949. Thus, judging by the countermeasures undertaken by the soviets it is clear that the Marshall Plan had a deeper impact in the deterioration of relations between East and West.So overall in my opinion there were three main events that helped in the escalation of the Cold War. First there is the Potsdam Conference where the first disagreements started to arise. Second there was the Fulton, Missouri speech given by Churchill, which made the call for firmer action by the West against the threat of communism. Third the Marshall Plan, (which the Soviets took as a direct threat to Communism) which resulted in the Soviets, tightening the grip on Eastern Europe. These were the three main events that in my opinion caused the deterioration of relations between East and West.