Thread: Do we always have a choice?

Well was arguing with another member on another forum and I was saying we as people always have a choice. To put my saying into a simple situation, say you live in a poor neighborhood and it is gang infested which is a basic scenario. Do you have the choice of joining a gang yes or no?

The question is vague. Sure you may have a choice in the extremely big picture, but some basic human needs (camaraderie for example) yeah, you may only find that in a gang if you live in that situation, forcing you to join. Pressure from peers may also force you to join whether you want to or not.

on one end (determinism), everything we do is predetermined and we're just acting out things in a play - therefore we don't really have a choice. but i get the feeling you're talking on a less all-encompassing scenario.

well, except in very extreme circumstances, you always have the choice to kill yourself (thus not joining said gang).

You do have a choice. However, so one needs to be on your side. When I was growing up, my Mom looked out for me and kept my busy. My sister (Who is older than me) ran around and went to jail. I had friends who are in jail to this day for hanging with the wrong crowd. At your teens, you should be smart enough to say no.

While the question is vague it is straight to the point. Some say you have no choice because once you are born into whatever social status you were either blessed or cursed with, the outcome is based on the very beginning.

Project + gangs = no where

middle class + school = middle class job

privileged + money/education = ehh somewhere good in life

It really comes down to education.

Originally Posted by loca93

While the question is vague it is straight to the point. Some say you have no choice because once you are born into whatever social status you were either blessed or cursed with, the outcome is based on the very beginning.

Project + gangs = no where

middle class + school = middle class job

privileged + money/education = ehh somewhere good in life

Yeah, that is bull, believed only by cowards and fools, and said only by sycophants(read=politicians of the same ilk as Al Sharpton).

I am just saying what some believe. That was mainly what I was arguing against with the m,ember on the other forum.

Originally Posted by Jakko

Yeah, that is bull, believed only by cowards and fools, and said only by sycophants(read=politicians of the same ilk as Al Sharpton).

Whether you think its bullshit or not, she has a point. You don't see former gang members rising to (legally obtained) prestige and riches.

Originally Posted by StealDragon

Whether you think its bullshit or not, she has a point. You don't see former gang members rising to (legally obtained) prestige and riches.

Those who do are either very fortunate and seeked religion which in most cases is what helped them get out of the struggle or had self determination of not wanting to fall victim to the streets.