Arguments Against Free Will
Likewise, actions do not come without consequences as there are consequences in attempting to restrict or limit one’s free will in order to preserve another’s and keep order in society. The first way that the Government faces these consequences is when Alex is driven to attempt suicide as he feels he is no longer able to live an authentic life anymore. This is explained when Alex says that “What I wanted was not something violent but something that would make me like just go off gentle to sleep and that be the end of your Humble Narrator, no more trouble to anybody anymore” (Burgess 105). After the treatment, Alex is in a constant battle between forced good and chosen evil. His goodness is insincere, as he only seems good from the outside but is still the same person on the inside.
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In the end, the Government’s attempt to make Alex into a good citizen drove him to want to end his life as he is no longer able to choose his choices, and free will is what makes him human to begin with.
No matter the criminal, it is more wicked of the Government to take away someone else’s free will for their own benefits. They are sending a message to citizens that maintaining the stability of the State is above fairness and happiness of citizens, Therefore, this demonstrates the importance of free will because without it, we would not be human, but more like machines. This is portrayed by F.Alexander who remarks that “They have turned you into something other than a human being. You have no power or choice any longer. You are committed to socially acceptable acts, a little machine capable only of good” (Burgess 115). The power of choice distinguishes humans from machines. In the novel, a ‘clockwork orange’ is used to describe what would become of us if we were taken away from our choices. Goodness should be out of choice. Choice is what makes us human, and without it we would become something like a machine, something as unnatural as a clockwork
orange Baik 7 which appears organic on the outside, but is mechanical on the inside. Enforced conditioning, whatever good the intention is evil. Acceptance to change is the growth in life as no one can force a belief or a way of living onto you. Consequently, the Government’s attempt to change Alex through force results in failure, as by Part 3 of the novel, Alex is cured and back to his original ways after so called ‘deep hypnopaedia’. Growth is only seen in Alex when he chooses to change. He remarks that “Perhaps I was getting too old for the sort of jeezny I had been leading, brothers” (Burgess 139). His realization that he has outgrown his previous lifestyle and choices originates from his conversation with Pete who no longer goes out looking for violence and no longer uses nadsat. Alex realizes the need for change as well and considers the possibilities of the future as he sees Pete has also gotten himself married. Furthermore, he envisions a future where he is in a new chapter of his life with a wife and son. At this point, the novel suggests that Alex is growing out of some of the bad choices that he has been making, and will be looking out for a brighter future.
In the end, the Government’s attempt to make Alex into a good citizen drove him to want to end his life as he is no longer able to choose his choices, and free will is what makes him human to begin with.
No matter the criminal, it is more wicked of the Government to take away someone else’s free will for their own benefits. They are sending a message to citizens that maintaining the stability of the State is above fairness and happiness of citizens, Therefore, this demonstrates the importance of free will because without it, we would not be human, but more like machines. This is portrayed by F.Alexander who remarks that “They have turned you into something other than a human being. You have no power or choice any longer. You are committed to socially acceptable acts, a little machine capable only of good” (Burgess 115). The power of choice distinguishes humans from machines. In the novel, a ‘clockwork orange’ is used to describe what would become of us if we were taken away from our choices. Goodness should be out of choice. Choice is what makes us human, and without it we would become something like a machine, something as unnatural as a clockwork
orange Baik 7 which appears organic on the outside, but is mechanical on the inside. Enforced conditioning, whatever good the intention is evil. Acceptance to change is the growth in life as no one can force a belief or a way of living onto you. Consequently, the Government’s attempt to change Alex through force results in failure, as by Part 3 of the novel, Alex is cured and back to his original ways after so called ‘deep hypnopaedia’. Growth is only seen in Alex when he chooses to change. He remarks that “Perhaps I was getting too old for the sort of jeezny I had been leading, brothers” (Burgess 139). His realization that he has outgrown his previous lifestyle and choices originates from his conversation with Pete who no longer goes out looking for violence and no longer uses nadsat. Alex realizes the need for change as well and considers the possibilities of the future as he sees Pete has also gotten himself married. Furthermore, he envisions a future where he is in a new chapter of his life with a wife and son. At this point, the novel suggests that Alex is growing out of some of the bad choices that he has been making, and will be looking out for a brighter future.