Do we actually make our own choices?

Free will, in its definition, is man's ability to choose between the possibilities of

action-change offered to him. As a result of this definition, "evil" (defined here as an action

with disastrous, tragic consequences) and error thus become the results of the conscious but wrong choices of man, unable to predetermine their consequences.

However, is it really possible for us to be fully aware of and control all the factors that

influence our thoughts and actions? And if we were able to do so, hypothetically, wouldn't

that contradict the very notion of freedom? In other words, what influences

influence?According to Sam Harris, a philosopher and researcher in neuroscience, "You do

not control the storm and you are not lost in it. You are the storm".

In order to have a better understanding of the situation regarding the mysterious destiny and the ambiguous free-will, we can analyze some cultural examples. Let's take Sophocles'

tragedy "Oedipus Rex" as an example. By delving into the symbolism and meanings of this

story, we can gain a clearer perspective and hopefully untangle some of the theories created around this topic.

According to one version of the story, Laius, king of Thebes, was warned by the Oracle that

his son would kill him and will commit an incest with his wife. Accordingly, when his wife,

Jocasta bore a son, he had the baby exposed on a mountain called Cithaeron. A shepherd took pity on the infant and brought the newborn to King Polybus of Corinth and his wife, who adopted him. In early manhood Oedipus visited the Oracle of Delphi and upon learning that he was fated to kill his father and marry his mother, he resolved never to return to Corinth.

Traveling toward Thebes, he encountered Laius, his biological father, who provoked a quarrel in which Oedipus killed him. Continuing on his way, Oedipus found Thebes plagued by the Sphinx, who put a riddle to all passersby and destroyed those who could not answer. Oedipus solved the riddle, and the Sphinx killed herself. In reward, he received the throne of Thebes and the hand of the widowed queen, his mother, Jocasta. They had four children: Eteocles,Polyneices, Antigone, and Ismene. Later, when the truth revealed and the prophecy was fulfilled, Jocasta committed suicide, and Oedipus blinded himself.

Achilles, the famous Greek warrior, is a well-known character who faces the conflict

between fate and free will. Despite making several choices and taking measures, such as

seeking refuge on the island of Skyros, fleeing from the war, and even the unexpected turn of events where Patroclus takes his place in the battle, Achilles is still unable to avoid his

prophesied fate of perishing in the Trojan War as foretold by the Oracle.

Can we really talk about the concept of free will under these conditions? Even when choices that bring about a complete reversal of the situation, leading us down a completely different path, ultimately end up with the same verdict and outcome that were announced at the beginning of the story?

Can we still argue against the idea that it’s simply impossible for us, as conscious beings, to

be deeply responsible for the characteristics of our mental processes and the resulting

behavior?