Fate Vs Free Will

Authors are not the only ones who have pondered the existence and impact of fate and free will. Scientists and theologians have utilized their respective expertise to justify their beliefs. Scientists, in particular, have an intriguing view of free will because they have a unique look at what would make those decisions. Scientists who have researched the workings of the brain revealed an “intricate networks of…shaped by both genes and environment. But there is also agreement in the scientific community that the firing of neurons determines not just some or most but all of our thoughts, hopes, memories, and dreams” (Cave). This research means that any things that actions deemed decided by free will are actually the electrical and chemical activity

However, much moral responsibility rests on the belief that a person is responsible for the choices they make. Researchers found that when “people stop believing they are free agents, they stop seeing themselves as blameworthy for their actions. Consequently, they act less responsibly and give in to their baser instincts”, and that “belief in free will turned out to be a better predictor of job performance than established measures such as self-professed work ethic” (Cave). The findings propose that whether or not free will exists does not matter. Nevertheless, the belief in it can dramatically alter a person’s outlook on life and their actions. The research also indicates that a belief in fate is not exactly an excuse for a person’s actions but more of reasoning for indulging in a pessimistic way of life. When humanity truly believes that they have free will, they will be all around better individuals because making positive choices lead to success and fulfillment of their potential and happiness. By comparison, those who put more faith in fate are overall unhappy: more conforming, less compassionate, unmotivated, unsatisfied

In the Bible, the introduction of free will is in The Fall of Adam and Eve when they willingly eat the apple. In the Catholic Church, “to God, all moments of time are present in their immediacy. When therefore he establishes his eternal plan of “predestination,” he includes in it each person's free response to his grace” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 600). For Catholics, God does not plan all things, He established the “eternal plan” and then humans how humans take his grace and the choices they make decide how the “eternal plan” plays out. The catechism also uses the following quote to support their teaching: “in this city…the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place” (Acts 4:27-28). This quote shows what the Catholic Church meant by its version of free will. Furthermore, this quote proves that God’s plan allows for each person’s acknowledgment of his grace, whether it be a positive or negative choice. One of the main principles of Christianity is accepting Christ and through free will, humans have the ability to accept him. Whether or not that is the only way to salvation, this version of free will allows for many, many people to make decisions that will help their lives and the lives of others due to Christ’s teachings of kindness and acceptance. In conclusion,