Question of the Day

[ayoub]

Do you believe in Fate, or Free Will, or Both, and if both, then how do they coexist?

Comments

[kabandra.livejournal.com]

easy - I believe in fate, in so far as one's life has a certain basic structure, like a sonnet (14 lines and iambic pentameter). However, within that structure, we have infinite free will, room to choose, to say what we have to say.

And I didn't come up with that by myself, but I'm blanking out as to where I got it. I don't think it's Dead Poets society (could possibly be though) but it's something similar like that ... hmm..

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

I would say that fate gices you opportunities, and free will lets you decide whether to take them or not :)

[voldelange.livejournal.com]

i believe in fate,because i believe we are born with certain talents and a certain personality (with good and bad characteristics) that would lead us somewhere in life,but i believe in free will too,because it's our choice how we use what's been given to us;

plus whatever it's meant to happen to us it won't happen unless we do something towards that...especially with the good things...the bad things tend to come anyway...*sighs* (actually i think we are tending more towards the bad things - they are easier to happen/do...)

[macpurp.livejournal.com]

both........
I believe in both, I dont know why or how but I just beleive.
did you have a good trip?

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

I would say that fate gives you opportunities, and free will lets you decide whether to take them or not :)

It was great :)

[the-ravyn.livejournal.com]

I believe in a fate that has several outcomes.  We have the free will to choose which path to take that leads to one of those outcomes.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

Yup, pretty much :)

[corto.livejournal.com]

free will is the steps we choose to take as we dance out way towards fate.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

Wonderfully put bro :)

[wiltinwickwitch.livejournal.com]

I believe in karma
I think that manages to cover both, since we operate
as free agents, but take the consequences
love and blessed be
xxx

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

Great answer :)

I believe that fate gives you opportunities, and free will lets you decide whether to take them or not :)

[maeghanne.livejournal.com]

Philosophically speaking.. they cannot co-exist. Once one obtains the ability to make their own choices (via free will).. they have the power over their future which voids the possibility of fate. It's the same if you believe in fate.. if pre-destination exists, you have no control over it. Period.

For the reason... I have a true will... that I aspire to fufill on a daily basis, that is most certainly, under my control.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

Well, let's say that fate gives you opportunities, and free will lets you decide whether to take them or not, then both can exist :)

[come-undone.livejournal.com]

free will.

fate would preclude that someone(thing) has already decided how my life is going to play out. I can tell you from experience that I've thoroughly screwed any plans a higher power may have had for me ;D

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

:P

Good to see you bro... How are the kids?

[come-undone.livejournal.com]

they are well...they grow like lil weeds. How are you?

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

I'm good :) You've been missed man :)

[crescent-fresh.livejournal.com]

i personally feel that a belief in fate, like a belief in religion, is the crutch of a lazy mind.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

Hmmmm...

So nothting but luck and self belief?

[crescent-fresh.livejournal.com]

i just think the belief in a higher power is a primitive notion. to me, calling something "fate" or "god's will" or whatever shows no progression in thought from our aboriginal ancestors. as we've learned more about the world around us through science, it seems like people would've learned that just because it hasn't been explained doesn't mean it can't be. but then again, people love the path of least resistance, and that's religion.

so, yeah, personal action plays the biggest part in how you get through life.

[mysticpickle.livejournal.com]

I believe mostly in karma. What goes around comes around. Thus you have the free will to give, do, say, etc... And if you choose negitively you are fated to recieve it in kind. Free will allows you to choose from the options and oppertunities fate places in front of you. I think while you do have control over making decissions you will ultimately arrive at the destintion you were fated to no matter which path you go down. I wanted no children however I was fated to have two, so far, and while I didn't make the conscience choice to become a mother I believe I was fated for nothing else better!!

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

Excellent answer :)

[kalquessa.livejournal.com]

Both, I suppose. On an intellectual level, I think there's a lot of evidence for both cases, but I don't see anyone coming out with irrefutable proof for one position or the other.

In practical terms, I think it's wise to assume that everything is fated, so there's no point in getting too worked up over things when they don't go your way (if your car gets towed, that's just what needed to happen, and getting bent out of shape won't really help anyone), but it's also a good idea to assume that your free will affects everything because otherwise you won't live with the care you should (just washing your hands of life and saying it's all fated so why bother living is a very silly thing to do). To me it's all about product, not process. Believe one way or the other, just don't make your belief in either of them an excuse for being stupid or evil.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

**faints**

**re reads**

A serious answer???

;)

I like your practical view :)

[kalquessa.livejournal.com]

A serious answer???

I know! Is that the end of the world I hear?

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

:D

[heardthatnoise.livejournal.com]

I believe in self control, self restraint, and making informed decisions. I also believe that life sometimes throws a fast ball in to see if you're paying attention.

I've learned that I can only control myself and my reactions, any other semblence of control is really just an illusion.

So, I think that Fate exists in the way of life's fastballs, or 'what if' situations. I think it's my choice to figure out how to deal with it. Sometimes life is easy and you can exist peacefully in it...other times you have to take what's given, suck it up, drive on, and push your way through to another day. Anyone that's faced adversity can tell you that. ;)

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

Yes, Fate gives you the opportunity and Free Will let's you decide which ones to take :)