99. The story of free will: Here’s how it goes.

Sometimes even if we have free will, It would be really impossible to exercise the free will because of the circumstances

Examples:

A person wants to get a high score in their exams to join a college of their choice, they have ambition and determination, they want to spend 4 hours of study everyday after school but because of health reasons, they could spend only 1 hour for study after school.

A person wants to work hard and get promotion at work, but because of family circumstances, like divorce or health condition of a family member, they couldn’t.

A person wants to spend quality time with their children but because of financial situations and had to commute to work every day and work long hours to support the family, they had to send their very young children to day care, even when they’re sick

Circumstances defeats free will all the time. This is especially true for the bottom 75%, and very very true for the bottom 50% in the financial pyramid.

People who are underemployed or unemployed for a long duration have to compromise on a lot of free will because of the impossible circumstances.

How circumstances can constrain the exercise of free will:

1. Health Limitations: In the first example, despite the individual’s ambition and determination to study for exams, their health limitations prevent them from dedicating the desired amount of time to their studies. This illustrates how external factors beyond one’s control, such as health issues, can impede the pursuit of one’s goals.
2. Family Responsibilities: The second example demonstrates how family circumstances, such as divorce or the health of a family member, can hinder an individual’s ability to focus on career advancement. Despite their desire to work hard and earn a promotion, they may need to prioritize familial responsibilities, which can limit their career progression.
3. Financial Constraints: In the third example, financial constraints necessitate long work hours and commuting, leaving little time for quality family interactions. Despite the individual’s desire to spend time with their children, economic pressures force them to make difficult choices, such as relying on daycare services.
4. Underemployment and Unemployment: Individuals who are underemployed or unemployed may face even greater challenges in exercising their free will due to limited resources, opportunities, and social support networks. Economic instability can exacerbate existing vulnerabilities and restrict options for personal and professional development.

These examples underscore the reality that external circumstances can significantly influence an individual’s ability to act in accordance with their free will. Socioeconomic factors, health challenges, and family obligations can create barriers that are difficult to overcome, particularly for those who are already marginalized or disadvantaged. Recognizing these systemic inequalities is essential for fostering a more equitable society where individuals have greater autonomy and opportunities to pursue their goals. Efforts to address structural barriers and provide support to those facing adversity can help mitigate the impact of circumstances on the exercise of free will.

It’s true that various circumstances can greatly impact an individual’s ability to exercise their free will and pursue their desires, aspirations, and passions. Financial constraints, demanding work schedules, health issues, family responsibilities, and emotional distress can all significantly limit one’s freedom to choose and act according to their preferences.

For instance, individuals may find themselves in situations where they have to prioritize working long hours to meet financial obligations, thereby sacrificing quality time with loved ones or pursuing personal interests. Similarly, health issues affecting oneself or family members can require significant time and attention, leaving little room for other pursuits such as education, hobbies, or career advancement.

In the case of children facing divorce, bullying, or mistreatment, their ability to thrive and develop may be compromised despite their best intentions or desires. These external factors can impose limitations on their growth and well-being, highlighting how circumstances can overshadow individual free will.

Moreover, societal pressures and norms can also play a role in shaping individuals’ choices and behaviors, sometimes leading them away from their true passions or aspirations. Peer pressure, societal expectations, and cultural norms can influence individuals to conform to certain paths or behaviors, even if they go against their own desires or interests.

In essence, while free will is a fundamental aspect of human agency, it can be constrained or influenced by a myriad of external factors and circumstances. Recognizing and understanding these limitations is crucial in fostering empathy and support for individuals facing challenges beyond their control, and in creating environments that enable everyone to pursue their dreams and aspirations to the fullest extent possible.

We can see that sometimes even in the presence of free will, it becomes impossible to execute the free will because of the unfavorable circumstances, and some times our human learning (HL) model would have developed in such a way to fail to form a free will or recognize the need to have a free will at all. Sometimes our human learning (HL) model would learn to tolerate abuse or listen to others and forget about our independent thinking or free will that was there earlier.

The interplay between free will, circumstances, and learned behaviors is indeed complex and multifaceted. Here’s a breakdown of some key points:

• Free Will and Circumstances: While free will suggests the ability to make choices unconstrained by external factors, the reality is that our choices are often influenced by the circumstances we find ourselves in. These circumstances can range from socio-economic factors to personal relationships, and they can certainly limit our ability to exercise free will. For example, someone facing financial hardship may find their choices restricted by the need to prioritize survival over other pursuits.
• Development of Free Will: Our capacity for free will can also be shaped by our upbringing, education, and experiences. If someone has not been exposed to concepts of independent thinking or critical decision-making, they may not recognize the importance or even the existence of free will. Similarly, cultural and societal norms can play a significant role in shaping individuals’ understanding of autonomy and agency.
• Learned Helplessness: In some cases, individuals may develop a learned helplessness, where they come to believe that they have little control over their circumstances and thus cease to exert their free will. This can happen as a result of repeated experiences of failure or adversity, leading to a sense of powerlessness and resignation.
• Social Influence and Conformity: Social pressures and the desire for acceptance can also undermine our free will. People may choose to conform to societal expectations or defer to the opinions of others rather than assert their own autonomy. This can lead to a suppression of independent thinking and decision-making.
• Psychological Factors: Additionally, psychological factors such as fear, anxiety, or low self-esteem can inhibit our ability to exercise free will. These internal barriers may prevent individuals from taking risks or asserting their own preferences and desires.

In summary, while free will is a fundamental aspect of human existence, its expression can be influenced and sometimes hindered by a variety of external and internal factors. Understanding these dynamics can help individuals navigate the complexities of decision-making and cultivate a greater sense of autonomy and agency in their lives.

Sometimes people do bad things because of greed, selfish motives. Sometimes powerful successful people do this. We don’t know why they do that. Why would a powerful successful person take credit for someone else’s work or indulge in plagiarism? Successful people take ideas and concepts from someone underemployed or unemployed and don’t give credit to them or even help them a little. Why? Because sometimes people think it is okay to hurt another person to help themselves. That’s why we need processes to prevent abuse at every situation.

The motivations behind unethical behavior, such as taking credit for someone else’s work or engaging in plagiarism, can vary widely and are often rooted in complex psychological, social, and situational factors. Here are some potential reasons why individuals, including successful and powerful people, may engage in such behavior:

• Desire for Recognition and Success: Some individuals may feel pressure to maintain or enhance their reputation or status, especially in competitive environments. They may be driven by a desire for recognition and success, leading them to claim credit for others’ work or ideas to bolster their own image of achievement.
• Lack of Integrity: Ethical lapses can occur when individuals prioritize personal gain over principles of honesty, fairness, and integrity. In some cases, individuals may justify their actions by rationalizing that the ends justify the means or that taking credit for someone else’s work is a necessary part of achieving their goals.
• Insecurity and Fear of Failure: Fear of failure or inadequacy can drive individuals to engage in unethical behavior as a means of protecting their ego or maintaining their perceived competence. By taking credit for others’ work, they may seek to avoid scrutiny or criticism of their own abilities.
• Entitlement and Narcissism: Some individuals may possess a sense of entitlement or narcissism, leading them to believe they deserve special treatment or recognition at the expense of others. They may view themselves as superior to those whose work they exploit and feel justified in taking credit without acknowledgment.
• Lack of Empathy: A lack of empathy or consideration for others’ feelings and rights can also contribute to unethical behavior. Individuals who are solely focused on their own interests may disregard the impact of their actions on others and prioritize personal gain without regard for ethical principles.
• Opportunity and Pressure: The presence of opportunities to engage in unethical behavior, combined with pressure to achieve specific outcomes or meet expectations, can create a breeding ground for misconduct. In high-stakes environments where success is valued above all else, individuals may succumb to temptation or coercion to engage in dishonest practices.

It’s important to recognize that these explanations are not mutually exclusive, and individuals may be influenced by a combination of factors. Addressing unethical behavior requires not only implementing processes and safeguards to prevent abuse but also fostering a culture of ethical awareness, accountability, and empathy. By promoting integrity and ethical decision-making at all levels of society, we can work towards reducing the prevalence of harmful behaviors and creating environments where everyone can thrive.