Biblical Texts and Question 1

Of the four assigned Biblical passages, I enjoyed Psalm 139 the most. The first ten lines were extremely comforting to me, as I sat back and remembered that no matter how uncertain I may be, or how much I may change during this time in my life, God always knows my heart and its desires. These first ten lines also serve as a reminder that we can’t outgrow or outrun God, because as David says, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.” This passage depicts God as an omniscient Maker that knows our every thought because he stitched us up in our mothers’ womb before we were even brought into the world. In the past, a pastor I had coffee with described God as a clockmaker; in essence, he explained that he believed that God has carefully constructed our bodies and our hearts so that He may know them and how they work, but once wound up and released, He lets us go and observes.

After reading the Biblical Assignments reading, I agree with Dr. Simpler’s point that this passage never makes the distinction between a God who simply knows all of our thoughts and desires, and a God who determines all of our thoughts and desires. I therefore disagree with biblical scholars who use this text to argue for theological determinism. I do not believe that this text supports theological determinism since it never states that God controls our thoughts and desires rather than just knowing them.

I do, however, agree with the interpretation of Jonah 1-2 serving as an example of compatibilism. When God tells Jonah to go to Nineveh, Jonah makes the conscious decision to instead go to Tarshish to run from God, thus demonstrating Jonah exercising free will. However, with Jonah’s overall plan in mind, God sends the raging ocean storms to try to help Jonah realize that he cannot run away from God’s will. When Jonah realizes that he will in fact die in the belly of a giant fish if he does not do God’s bidding, he again makes a conscious decision and pledges his loyalty to God. To me, this is a perfect example of compatibilism since Jonah is able to exercise free will in his actions, but there is still evidence of God orchestrating his overall plan. In addition, I also connected this passage and this theory to The Adjustment Bureau, due to Bureau allowing humans to make everyday choices, but adjusting their courses in order to make them stay on track.

After reading these passages, I am left with one key question: to what extent does God control our ability to make truly free decisions, if he crafts our minds, bodies, and hearts with a better knowledge of them than we ourselves have? In essence, I struggle with understanding how free our decisions can really be if God has pre-determined our personalities, decision-making capabilities, emotions, and other factors that heavily influence the way we make choices.

Adjustment Bureau

Clay Payne

The The Adjustment Bureau depicts determinism and free will throughout the movie. I think that David’s life script was shown in a determinism way. The category of determinism states that all of our choices to a certain point are already determined before we think we make the decision. Even though I feel like David’s life falls under the determinism category I believe his life was scripted in a theological determinism way, or that his life was scripted by a more powerful figure or figures.

            At the start of the movie David meets a woman named Elise in a restroom. David instantly falls for this woman, but the higher power figure makes sure that he is following the path that he is supposed to follow. After David and Elise meet we see a higher power figure and the figure is supposed to spill David’s coffee so he misses the bus where he would find Elise, but the high power figure falls asleep. The mistake by the higher power figure allows for David to see Elise on the bus where they exchange each other’s numbers. David is able to dodge the path that was written for him and makes one of his own decisions in this part of his life.

            The main reason the coffee was supposed to spill was because The “Adjustment Bureau” or the group of “higher power figures” who are supposed to keep everyone on their already scripted path, were at David’s work trying to make adjustments to people at his work. David so happens to walk in on the “Adjustment Bureau”. As soon as David realizes what the “Adjustment Bureau does he decides to do all he can to avoid the path that is planned out for him and try to build a relationship with the woman he loves.

            David and Elise eventually lose contact for 3 years because a “higher power figure” who gives David a choice of being with the woman of his dreams or the choice of becoming the president and Elise fulfilling her dream of being a dancer. When the “higher power figure” gives David these two options the category of his life also changes to more of a free will path.

            The end of the story shares that most people follow the path that is originally set for them, however if you do not follow the path then you can live life freely. After watching this movie it makes me wonder how everyone kind of has a certain way to live life, such as getting up at the same time every day, going to class at the same times everyday, going to work at the same times every day. Our lives are already planned out for us to a certain degree. I look back at the past few weeks and I feel as if all of my days blend in together, because they are all so similar.  Are higher figures planning our lives or are we just stuck in the same routine and do not know how to get out?

Free Will and Determinism in The Adjustment Bureau

In the notable film The Adjustment Bureau, director and writer George Nolfi creates a suspenseful tale that perfectly illustrates the tension between determinism and free will. The majority of the film focuses on bad-boy politician David Norris, who is in the middle of a Senate race when the film opens. However, as David concedes the Senate race after an embarrassing prank is revealed in the news, he meets the love of his life in a men’s restroom, and then accidentally discovers The Adjustment Bureau, who are hell-bent on keeping David on the course of his pre-determined plan (which does not happen to include Elise).

The Adjustment Bureau is a team of men that “adjust” one’s actions if they are making choices that do not fall in line with their overall plan. In the beginning of the movie, we are told that humankind previously had complete free will, but after the Dark Ages and World War II, it was taken away to prevent total human destruction of the world. Although we are only told that there is a chairman who enforces all the plans, it is unclear who exactly is responsible for the creation of each individual’s plan. It is not explicitly stated, but I believe that the chairman is meant to symbolize GOD. Due to the presence of an omniscient GOD, the Adjustment Bureau could fall between a Theological Determinism and Newtonian Determinism structure, but I feel that it leans more towards Newtonian Determinism. In the Classical Categories reading, Newtonian Determinism is described to work in this way: “every decision you make is set up by previous situations and influences so that when you make a choice it is not freely made by you, but is a product of a previous action,” (Classical Categories Reading). This concept was demonstrated in the film when the members of the bureau explained to David that he is presented several options by the Adjustment Bureau, and he is then given the free will to choose between the options before him. Once he makes a choice, his plan is slightly altered, and new options are created to ensure that his subsequent actions are still in line with the overall plan. The amount of free will that humans possess in this model are actually miniscule, because any major deviation from the intended plan causes the Adjustment Bureau to alter your brain in a way to change your decision making.

In the closing credits of the film, Harry says “Most people live life on the path we set for them, too afraid to explore any other. But once in a while people like you come along who knock down all the obstacles we put in your way. People who realize free will is a gift that you'll never know how to use until you fight for it. I think that's the chairman's real plan. That maybe one day, we won't write the plan, you will.” In this statement, I believe it is the writer saying that the chairman does in fact represent GOD, and that GOD’s ultimate plan for his children is not to set them on a path of total determinism, but to allow them to trust in themselves enough to set the course for their own lives.

Theological and Cultural Determinism

     After reading over the different perspectives I seem to agree with theological determinism the most. I always find myself saying, "Everything happens for a reason." I normally say this when something bad happens such as my tire going flat on my car or even worse when someone who I am close to loses a loved one. I have always been taught that God already has everything in our lives planned out to a certain degree, which is one reason why I think I believe this. However at the same time I do not think that everything such as the example that was used in the readings that God plans for you to order a certain drink at Starbucks. I think everything happens for a reason but God sets you up for the decisions you make. God may give you a flat tire, because he wants you to go to class late and sit next to your future husband or wife just like the story you used that happened to one of your students. However you may choose to arrive late by walking all the way to the class or maybe your too lazy to where you decide to not go at all. Overall God plans out what he wants for you to do in life, but when it comes to it you have your own choice. 

            As a whole I think that I agree with theological determinism, however cultural determinism makes a lot of sense to me as well. My dad was a baseball player and for that reason my brothers and me all grew up playing the same sport. If it was not for my dad I do not think that we would have necessarily played, because we probably would not have been introduced to the sport without him. I have grown to love the sport and am very thankful for being able to play and because of baseball I have had the chance at going to college.

            At the same time both theological and cultural determinism are much alike because God plans for you to be in a certain family and your are in a certain family that steers you in the direction of the same things that the parents do. God truly decided what you were going to do by placing you in a certain family.

            There are many strengths with determinism, because you are being steered in a direction by God, and you can always know the simple saying of “everything happens for a reason”. On the other hand there are definitely weaknesses, because it is scary thinking that every decision you make has already been planned out by God and you are not really controlling any aspect of your life. For that reason I choose to agree with determinism, but not as strictly as most people because I do not think that God would plan out every decision that someone makes, because there would be no point in life. We are here to spread his word and if he planned everyone’s life out I feel like he would make sure everyone goes down the path of following him and his word.

First Question

One of the most fundamental questions throughout human philosophy is whether or not we have the ability to make our own decisions, free from any outside influence.  Philosophers have come up with three theories regarding this idea; free will, determinism, and compatibilism are three different concepts that explain how humanity is influenced and lives there lives.  

Personally I believe that Compatibilism is the most correct theory.  I believe in the Christian God, therefore, I believe that there is someone over us who controls every moment of all of humanity.  He is omnipotent and outside of time and so he can cause whatever he chooses to happen.  If God wants me to come into great wealth, or drive a Porsche, it could happen.  This is determinism because it means that I personally do not have control over things that happen in my life.  However, I also believe that although God has power to do whatever he sees fit, he does not make decisions for us.  God allows humans to have free will in order for them to chose to follow him under their own circumstances.  A god who forces people to follow him has no legitimacy because his followers are brainwashed, but when God has humans who follow him out of their own decision he gains credibility.  I believe that I may make any decision I would like with my life, and although God could stop it, he chooses not to in order to preserve my freedom.  This mix of determinism and free will cements my belief in compatibilism.  

My position on this subject is very weak because scholars cannot study and prove the existence of God (nor can they disprove it).  Due to this, there is no hard evidence that proves my beliefs.  However, there are many humans who believe in the existence of the Christian God and can testify to miracles that have happened in their lives.  Christians also act of their own accord and while they do act on what they believe, they are making these decisions out of their own convictions.  God is not forcing them to give their money to charity or be nice to people, he is just asking.  Another example that proves this ideology is that many people experience things that are clearly not of their free will.  Often humans will encounter large amounts of wealth or extreme decisions that they attest to not coming up with on their own.  This is clearly not something that they came into based on their own decisions.  This drastic change in their lives can also set off other changes, which is a form of determinism.

 This mix of free will and determinism forms an ideal lifestyle for humanity.  Individuals can live their lives however they please.  However, if they live their lives in a way that pleases God, he can reward them with things they cannot necessarily achieve on their own.  I believe this is the best way to live your life: by serving God.  I also believe it is the only true way to happiness.  That is why I believe that compatibilism is the most correct theory when asking who is writing the script of my life.  

The Intersection of Cultural Determinism and Compatibilism

The Intersection of Cultural Determinism and Compatibilism

After studying the various perspectives on the types of determinism, free will, and compatibilism, I found myself agreeing most with the doctrine of cultural determinism. As it stated in the article, cultural determinism is the belief that we are the “products of our immediate culture.” When considering cultural determinism, I started thinking about all the various aspects of a culture that could exert influence over our everyday choices and actions, and the list was endless: family, friends, social media, music, art, film, etc. From birth, your nuclear family and close set of friends are the primary way you learn the values and essential Truths that you will carry with you throughout your life and that inform your personality and decision making. I also thoroughly agreed with the example in the text that showed that the cultural values and influences that are passed on vary widely between cultures. For example, the cultural values that are important to me are my education at Belmont, obtaining my degree, and landing a good job on Music Row. However, while visiting an extremely poor village in Mexico over the summer, I realized the values that the culture held most dear were each individual’s ability to create handmade goods to sell in the marketplace, and survival in general. Overall, my beliefs lie in an intersection between cultural determinism and compatibilism. I believe that the many facets of our culture are so prominent in our everyday lives that they play a large role in shaping our character and personality, and thus the choices that we ultimately make. However, I do not believe that cultural influence completely takes the place of free will. I agree with the studies that state that the ability to make choices at free will is an innately human characteristic, and without it, we lose a large part of what it means to be human.

In my opinion, both cultural determinism and compatibilism have their strengths and weakness. In cultural determinism, it accounts for the influence of newer technologies like social media that other theories widely ignore, as well as larger socioeconomic forces such as politics and the economy. However, it creates the notion that we can become completely brainwashed by cultural phenomenon to the point where they are our only basis for decision-making. When thinking about compatibilism, I believe the theory holds more merit because it serves as a type of middle-ground that allows for some of our bigger life choices and events to be pre-determined, but also allows the belief that humans have the intellectual capacity to exercise free will after surveying various options. The ability to exercise free will is necessary in order to not only take moral responsibility, as noted in the article, but also to make lasting changes on the society in which we live in. As Madeleine Albright put it, “What people have the capacity to choose, they have the ability to change.”