This article uses the metaphor of a river to explore the balance between free will and determinism, examining how our choices shape our journey within the constraints of life.
The River of Life and Free Will
Imagine life as a river flowing down a mountain. Like the flow of water, our choices and paths are influenced by forces around us, bringing free will into focus as we navigate the currents of life. There is a predetermined course as the water must follow the laws of physics and cannot deviate from its path. Similarly, certain aspects of our lives are shaped by circumstances beyond our control. Although we seem to have unlimited options ahead of us, realistically there are only certain paths that we can take, shaped by our upbringing, resources, and the environment around us.
But what if, instead of a narrow stream, the river is wide and winding, offering space to navigate and explore? Even though the water must flow downstream, there’s room to move within the river’s banks. Imagine ourselves in a boat, able to drift from side to side, explore eddies, and experience different currents. We are like captains in a delta who, despite knowing we’ll reach the sea eventually, get to choose which branch to follow and which paths to explore.
This is how we express our free will. While we’re still moving in a general direction set by factors beyond our control – like biology and physics, time and space – we still retain some freedom. Within certain boundaries, we can navigate our course, make meaningful choices, and choose our own path. One constant remains, however: we must flow forward carried by the constant speed of time.
And don’t think of this river as a narrow, restrictive mountain spring with little wiggle room. Instead, picture it as a vast expanse of water, wide and open, brimming with countless possibilities for exploration.
Determinism: The Narrow Channel
On the other hand, if you believe in determinism, the river becomes a narrow channel with no room to roam. This perspective emphasizes the rigid constraints of external factors, leaving little to no room for personal agency, which contrasts sharply with the view of free will and its capacity to navigate within boundaries. You might even envision being on a water slide where even the smallest wiggles are impossible, and every twist and turn is fixed. In this scenario, free will is an illusion, the curves and bends are dictated by predetermined laws.
The River of Life and Free Will
Where do you see yourself on this river of life? Do you see yourself freely exploring its waters, charting a path of your own choosing?
Are you the captain of your boat steering toward the destination you choose? Or are you simply being carried along by forces beyond your control, like being on a boat without a rudder, drifting wherever the currents take you?