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Position:Home>Philosophy> We cannot choose what we are; yet what are we but the sum of or choices?Question: We cannot choose what we are; yet what are we but the sum of or choices!? Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I don′t agree, though the phrase gives a lot to think!. It sounds a lot like the nature versus nurture argument!. I guess the truth is somewhere in between the two statements!. Yes, we cannot entirely chose who we are- we are born with certain predispositions; but most of all, we are born into a situation, which we do not chose!. one person is born in a high-income family, one in a low-income one!. one person is born in australia and one in siberia!.!.!. we are all born into a family or at any rate, an environment, which we do not chose, but which influences all our choices!. So I guess it′s a fair point to say that we cannot chose who we are!. at the same time, our life is ours, and though are choices may be limited, we do have the faculty to chose!. we all, at some point in our lives, have to make decisions, some more important than others!. you could consider life as a street, with many crossroads!. the street we are on is chosen for us, but the direction we take is ours to determine!. we are made both by what is inside us from birth and by what influences us throughout life!. no real answer to the question, but interesting topic!.!.!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com We can't choose our starting point, but I think we do indeed choose what we become, as you say, by our choices!. Certainly no one else does - we can become bank robbers, drug addicts, firemen, stock brokers, you name it!. We choose that - and we choose who we become, as in our emotional development and maturity, by the kinds of relationships we enter into!.Www@QuestionHome@Com Yes we can choose what we are: "I am the walrus, coo-coo-ca-choo!" We are far more than the sum of our choices!.!.!.we are the sum of our being!.!.!.we are the total sum of the quintessence which defines us!. We are the answer to ourselves, we are the alpha and omega, we are the truth!. We are what we would have ourselves be!. To agree that we are the sum of our choices dictates that our choices have a meaning beyond our own quality and passivity!. It's like saying that "just because I choose, I am"!. This is false logic!. The process of cognition does not define a person any more than what clothing they are wearing!. also, as aforementioned, we CAN choose 'what' we are!.Www@QuestionHome@Com I agree with the first part, the second part well!.!.!. I believe we are the sum of others inputs and influences, our actions are dictated by our upbringing, our life long interactions with others (teachers, friends, lovers, enemies, media, etc)!.Www@QuestionHome@Com No silly!. "We cannot choose what we are!. Therefore we are NOT the sum of our choices!." Or: "We can choose what we are!. Therefore we ARE the sum of our choices!." It's called choosing a side! ;)Www@QuestionHome@Com So what am I other than a nonconformist if I sit on the fence and refuse to choose!? Ha!. I've just answered my own question, haven't I!. It seems to me my friend you are right!. jinglin jimmy!.Www@QuestionHome@Com I certainly did not choose to be what I have become, it was you all's faults, getting me all mixed up and all!. I blame you all!. Lylo Lil!.Www@QuestionHome@Com Well,, there is a certain amount that you can't choose - like the body you were born with!. You also can't choose your parents,, but other than that that's a pretty good statement!.Www@QuestionHome@Com We can't choose what we are!. And Who we are is decide by the sum of our choices not what!.Www@QuestionHome@Com well, we are who we are!. If we dont like ourselves, lets change ourselves!.Www@QuestionHome@Com our choices can help make who we are!. its all in the mind, body, and soulWww@QuestionHome@Com Your premise is wrong!. We can and do choose what we are!.Www@QuestionHome@Com What we are is what we are meant to be!.Www@QuestionHome@Com poser alert!!Www@QuestionHome@Com wow, that is so right!.Www@QuestionHome@Com we are dreams of mindWww@QuestionHome@Com |