Are You Free Today?

18 April 2014Article and Photo by Joe K, Whittall ’16

Last Tuesday evening students gathered with some of the school’s philosophers for a Symposium. The topic for the evening was “The Nature of Free Will” or as Mr Tate said, “an unpopular conclusion.” Mr. Luna, Mr. Doehler, Mr. Amiel, & Mr. Tate gave their opinions on whether or not we really have free will. They spoke about how merchandise is manipulated, making people more likely to buy it. Everyone experiences this: milk is always at the back of the grocery store so that you have to walk past everything before you get what you need. This encourages impulse buying. Another example of this is when you intertwine/clasp your fingers together. Which thumb is on top? Rotate it under so that the other is on top. Does it feel right? No. This is because information affecting this decision is passed on from previous generations. This demonstrates a lack of free will: it’s all genetics. We all left the debate with bursting minds and more questions wondering if we have free will or if this phrase is an oxymoron. Who knows, we might be in the Matrix. Article and Photo by Joe K, Whittall ’16

Where Students Choose To Be