Free Will

What is free will ?

The ability to make your own decisions ?
The ability to think freely, without an external influence ?

I think we dont have as much free will as we think we do.

1. Animal instincts.
This will be a list of things that are instinctive to humans, as in somewhat difficult to overcome with willpower or things do automatically without thinking.


-Fight or Flight
-Hunger
-The urge to reproduce (males)
-The motherly instinct, caring for young (females)
-The Fear of Dying
-Staying with your own kind
-Adapting to environments

Hmm... im sure theres more, but i cant remember right now.

2.Influences when we're young
We are easily impressionable when we are young. The younger we are, the more impressionable. Lets say religions, if your taught them from since you were a baby, it would underlie all your thinking and be very hard to get rid of. Even past events may have changed some person in some way to make them react differently to another situation. Depending on how you have been taught, or how people have treated you, you can also act accordingly. Whatever determines your habits and personality depends partially on these influences.


3. Genes
I've noticed that your parents also largely determine your personality, like if your Father and mother is fairly passive, you are also likely to be passive. Obviously more seen in physical appearance though. It also seems to determine your intelligence or other mannerisms.


AFter all that , free will is not as free as it sounds like it should be. What if all these influences were removed ? Whould we be lifeless, devoid of any personality or thinking ? Or would we be the first to think freely and take on the world from nothing but your own perspective.

We are all products of our past.