Each of us are experientially convinced that we are the sole determinants of many of our actions, that we often choose our behavior ourselves. But we are also somewhat aware of the massive influence that our early-life environments, education and upbringing, physical and psychological states, character and social pressures have on our behaviors. Is there room amidst this massive set of controlling influences for the individual to sometimes choose for him/herself how they will act? Can we justify the deep feeling that we are sometimes genuinely free? If not, how might this impact our conception of morality, who we choose to love and to marry, etc…
