I think it's wonderful that we think we have free will, but to me it's all an illusion. I'm not saying I have the answers to any questions however if we were created, we were created to do things the way the creator intended for it to be, thus all an illusion. We can't possibly understand or come near to understand the theory of everything. It's like trying to teach a slug calculus, not going to happen.
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If we are neurologically healthy and physically able, in theory, we have freedom to choose our actions. Everything I will say from here on out is said with the assumption that this is the case.
Even if it seems difficult, like to say someone who has a temper problem that is exposed to a gang fight... they used their free will to choose to put themself in such circumstances.
Whether or not anyone nowadays wants to admit it we can choose despite seemingly outstanding factors such as lust, anger, sadness or other emotional issues, we can choose. However, it has become the case that many of us wish to forsake our free will and responsibility for our actions to the virtue of our powerful emotions. Because that's what free will entails. RESPONSIBILITY.
Of course social, biological and cultural factors play in to your choices, that is unavoidable. But ultimately it is up to you whether you wish to act on your will rather than educate yourself as to the forces playing in to your consciousness. Knowing why you wish to act the way you do is a great way to decide whether or not to act.
However, I with argue that the is a difficult concept to apply to someone that lacks critical thinking skills and often these must be taught. If someone does not know that what they are doing is wrong, even though they did what they did and must be held responsible they must also be educated in these skills.
If you had any idea how maddening this was to type on a phone...
I guess what I'm trying to say is you're using 1 potential to prove the other one.
As far as the "we were created to complete a specific purpose" bit. That goes hand in hand with the long standing "predetermined destiny" question. This is a debate that has stood through the Greek Moirai, the Roman Parcae, the Norse Norns, and clear up until today with people debating whether or not God has predetermined our destiny, or if our will is our own.
As far as my opinion goes, I see no reason to believe that my actions now do not directly affect my future, in turn meaning that my will is my own, as well as my future.
HUMANS= The most controlled living organism of all known time.
Ponder that if you will.