Are Human Beings Free?

Paper Summary:

This paper evaluates the topic of human freedom with reference to theories propounded by famous sociologists, psychologists and philosophers. It examines how actions of human beings are often restricted by factors that are beyond our control. But in the areas where man is allowed to exercise his free will, his actions are based on different values and ends. It shows how before man developed any psychological or sociological views on the concept of free will, there was always the religious view on this subject and how free will is controlled by God. It examines the theories of Thomas Hobbes and Erving Goffman, who dealt with the concept from a philosophical and sociological view and Abraham Maslow and Sigmund Freud who dealt with the subject of free will from a psychological point of view.

From the Paper:

"Erving Goffman's definition of free will is connected with his definition of self. He is of the view that man can never be completely independent of outside influences when making his decision. This is because man performs on a "stage" where his actions and reactions are both controlled by other people present on that stage. Man develops a sense of self when he interacts with others and thus his actions are also largely shaped by views of other people. In other words, Goffman believed that man exercises his power of free will to develop his sense of self and to make himself standout. His actions contain an element of ostentation. He wants to be an individual and not just one of the group and for this reason makes some unique choices when given complete freedom."

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