What is responsible for the choices we make?

Question

Is it fate? Is it our chemistry and our enviornment? Do we have any control over the choices we make or is it already set in stone because of our biology or how we were treated when we were young? I don't know if I am wording my questions the right way, but my teacher brought it up once in my english class and I have been wondering about it. What's your opinion?

Answer 1

We make all the decisions. We base our decisions on what we know. Sorry, no one else to blame.

Answer 2

Biology + Environment + Experience + Chance

Biology can predetermine some behaviors pretty well.  I mean, people tend to breathe and eat.  It impacts other behaviors, like the ability for your brain to produce different types of RNA and proteins, certain specialized receptors for certain tastes for example, can influence the probability of certain behaviors.

However, biology requires the environment to act.

For example, allergic reactions.

Someone can have a predisposition for an allergic reaction all their life, but if the bee never stings them...

...there can be no allergic reaction.

Environment is also a prime force in behavior.  If the situation never presents itself, behaviors are never activated.  Also, environment interacts with the biology to alter behaviors.  Just look at how males change their behavior in proximity to a large group of females.

Experience, exposure filtered through the biological mechanisms that produce connections in the brain that recognize patterns and programmed by what the environment brings, is another key component.  Not simple memory, but understood relationships in stimuli and predictive ability have major impacts on human behavior.

Finally, chance.

Chance is pivotal and is a co-factor for all of the other three...

Answer 3

The choices we make is another debated that is based on what someone believes or is taught to believe...Depending on what your teacher might be talking about, there are two ideas that explain what you are asking...

First is the philosophy one discussed earlier

the second is a field called sociobiology...

sociobiology is a field that says what you do based in your genetic code...for example, if you do something nice for someone, like buy them dinner without be asked to, just to be nice...sociobiologists would say, that choice was made for you because of your genes.   I would suggest asking your teacher specifically what he/she was talking about...and than studying that further...

Answer 4

'Why' would you ask such a question?  (hint, hint...)

Answer 5

Nothing is coincidental friend.

Answer 6

Hmmmm.  The answer according to the current state of the law, morals, ethics and common sense would be:  YOU are, unless you can come up with an acceptable "defense"  allowing you to offset such responsibility, such as insanity, diminished capacity, etc.:))

Answer 7

I believe that all people, given their situation or circumstances, do the best that they can at any given time.  That's not to say that we always make the best choices, because what we choose to do is often influenced by our upbringing and by our worldview.  Sometimes we can only "see" one way out of a situation when there may be in reality other choices that would serve us better.

What you are talking about is the philosophical argument of free will vs determinism.  You're not the first person to ask this question.  If you truly want to know more, research it on the net or in the library or take Philosophy 101 or whatever it's called at your school.  The argument can be fascinating.  

It's to your credit that you wonder about such things.

Answer 8

That is a very complex question - one that could be (and has been) hotly debated through the centuries and in many corners of the world.  The answer will vary from place to place, and, in modern society, from one individual (or profession, at least) to another.

You asked the question in the anthropological corner, so a non-partisan answer would be all of the above except for the “written in stone” part.



The nature (“chemistry”, “genetics”) versus nurture (upbringing, psychological factors in our childhood, religion, tradition, ethics and beliefs of the people we are raised amongst, the media, government and the law….) debate is far from over, but anthropology has accepted that both play a part.  If I am not wrong, psychology is acknowledging both factors as well. “Fate” or “chance” definitely plays a part in our choices and our life path.  

However, none of them are set in stone.  People have greater or lesser control (and responsibility that comes with that) to shape themselves and their lives.   In fact, as other answers posted here suggest, the law, society, and even religion expect of you that you shape yourself and act in ways that are acceptable to your environment

If you are still in formative years, an understanding of the forces that play a part in our formation can give you greater control over them and over your future.

Answer 9

Your teacher is a twit. Biological influence is NOT set in stone. It is nature via nurture! You are responsible for the choices you make! Do you think a judge sitting in judgment of you would be justifying his judgment by either environmental or biological determinism?