Destiny, Fate and Free Will
1
Sean Stevenson Vaughn English 101 June 23, 2011 Destiny, Fate and Free Will ! It’s an age old question and debate that has mystified us for over a millennia. Is there
really an entity such as destiny or fate that exists? Does each and “everyone” of us have a destiny, “ A set of predetermined events within our lives that we take an active course in shaping” Or a fate, “The preordained course of your life that will occur because of or in spite of your actions,” and as you/one would expect, the obvious existence of our own free will, “The power of acting without the constraint of necessity or fate; the ability to act at one’s own discretion.” Here, in a conversation between Forrest Gump and his Momma, we get an authentic and ordinary question about destiny and fate that most of us in all likelihood would ask. Not only in the question, “What’s my destiny,” but also in the statement, “Death is just a part of life,” it illustrates that the two are connected with each other. The choices you make are your destiny, and will ultimately lead you through the path to meet your death, (fate). As Forrest stands there looking down, wondering how sick his Momma is. He queries. “Why are you dying momma?” She looks up at him, and with a great expression of love. She expresses. “ It’s my time. It’s just my time. Oh now, don’t you be afraid, sweetheart. Death is just a part of life. It’s
2
something we’re all destined to do. I didn’t know it, but I was destined to be your momma. I did the best I could.” As he responds with an acceptable assertion. “ You did good, Momma.” “ Well, I happened to believe you make your own destiny.” “ What’s my destiny, Momma?” “ Life is like a box of chocolates, Forrest. You never know what your going to get.” (Winston Groom) Destiny is more complex to come by than fate, because it involves the inner working’s of ones psyche. We advance on the road to our destiny when we tread the path of individuation. Destiny can involve choices that make
Sean Stevenson Vaughn English 101 June 23, 2011 Destiny, Fate and Free Will ! It’s an age old question and debate that has mystified us for over a millennia. Is there
really an entity such as destiny or fate that exists? Does each and “everyone” of us have a destiny, “ A set of predetermined events within our lives that we take an active course in shaping” Or a fate, “The preordained course of your life that will occur because of or in spite of your actions,” and as you/one would expect, the obvious existence of our own free will, “The power of acting without the constraint of necessity or fate; the ability to act at one’s own discretion.” Here, in a conversation between Forrest Gump and his Momma, we get an authentic and ordinary question about destiny and fate that most of us in all likelihood would ask. Not only in the question, “What’s my destiny,” but also in the statement, “Death is just a part of life,” it illustrates that the two are connected with each other. The choices you make are your destiny, and will ultimately lead you through the path to meet your death, (fate). As Forrest stands there looking down, wondering how sick his Momma is. He queries. “Why are you dying momma?” She looks up at him, and with a great expression of love. She expresses. “ It’s my time. It’s just my time. Oh now, don’t you be afraid, sweetheart. Death is just a part of life. It’s
2
something we’re all destined to do. I didn’t know it, but I was destined to be your momma. I did the best I could.” As he responds with an acceptable assertion. “ You did good, Momma.” “ Well, I happened to believe you make your own destiny.” “ What’s my destiny, Momma?” “ Life is like a box of chocolates, Forrest. You never know what your going to get.” (Winston Groom) Destiny is more complex to come by than fate, because it involves the inner working’s of ones psyche. We advance on the road to our destiny when we tread the path of individuation. Destiny can involve choices that make