PHIL 2070 Unit 4 Submission: Fate or Free Will

American Intercontinental University

In Locke’s theory, the belief is that “all knowledge comes exclusively through experience (SparkNotes Editors, 2005).” The five senses play a major role is knowledge acquirement and people are born with a blank slate. Throughout life the slate is imprinted with knowledge and grows over time. The theory supports God offering a capacity for individuals to reason in search for truth. Defining the word truth can be a daunting task for it has different definitions for different people. Man lives in search for truth and general understanding throughout a lifetime. Locke believes that within a lifetime experience a wealth of knowledge is gained.

The author sides with Locke’s view within this regard. Experiences and enculturation dictates a person’s personality and knowledge base. The more a person experiences and the more meaningful the experiences are the deeper a person’s knowledge base becomes. The author believes there are some traits that are inherited however those traits can only be released through appropriate experiences.

In the author’s opinion, free will is not diminished within the Locke theory. The God factor always plays a significant role in everything. For example, experience can bring about much growth and knowledge acquisition however a person cannot operate within the vein based on will and the outcome changes drastically. God is the author of the opportunities for growth, but a person’s will dictates which road leads to whichever destination.

Opportunities are often presented to the author in which societal norms have dictated decision rather than free will. Many of the situations in which free will is compromised involves church. The author’s free will was compromised due to the societal expectations placed upon someone affiliated with the religious organization. Many time is religious organizations a “turn the cheek” approach is expected when dealing with conflict. Rather than dissecting issues, the strong is expected to humble down and take responsibility.

In religious organizations, rules (i.e. the bible) govern the behavior and decisions made during conflict and strife. When conflict arises, the individuals are forbidden to have a combative disposition. The individuals are expected to find a peaceable resolve. If no resolve then a mediator is to be brought in. The procedure is not followed by all believers. There is much conflict which questions the validity of religion and the creation to diminish a person’s free will to enslave a person’s mind. Many anti-religion rants state religion was invented to control the masses. Edgar Allan Poe says all religion is simply evolved from fraud, fear, greed, imagination, and poetry (Brainy Quote, 2018).

Fate or Free Will

If fate or free will was a question, the answer would be both. God had a plan for all man however one’s free will dictates the duration of the path learning. Reference to a bible story in which a group of people wandered in the wilderness for 40 years when the journey should have taken 13 years. The people complained and the fate was prolonged by free will. All man had a fate however the decisions or the lack of dwarfed, delayed the inevitable fate.

Even if one’s mind was a “blank slate” then free will and fate are not affected. The chosen response of the individual dictates progress and knowledge growth.