I think that this question reflects an inner conflict that is ongoing within our minds. This is a conflict because two ideas our bred into us from the American society those ideals is that of destiny or fate and choice, Carpe Diem-esque concept.
The concept of destiny and fate has been a piece of culture and literature for generations. Examples can be drawn from the Tragedy Oedipus Rex to Star Wars. In both a prophecy was told, Expelling one's fate from the shadows. However in both of these stories an attempt was made to deny their fate or destiny. It was useless. This is because the end result was as foretold and unavoidable. reoccurring themes integrate themselves into the human thought process, well at least for me. Another example is religion. I would be lying if I said that I have never heard a Christian say "God has a plan" when something gone awry, another example the concept of fate. In this situation just used as a mechanism of survival to get through a tragedy or even just a bad day.
Carpe Diem, seize the day, an idea in essence of taking control of your own destiny, Making choices. For an example one just has to draw on the economic system in which we are immersed in. Capitalism which your worth is determined by what you make of yourself. Survival of the fittest a complete simplification, but one that will work to get the point across, if somebody just believes they will naturally surface to the top of our world they will probably not; where as somebody who works hard and makes the right choices will achieve great things. Allowing for those who work hard to become the fittest and the most successful.
This is how this question arrived to my mind however I don't see a solution in sight.
Nathan,
ReplyDeleteNice incorporation of popular culture in your examples.
If "the greatest griefs are those we cause ourselves" as mentioned by the messenger in Oedipus, then what do you think is Sophocles' slant on free will and fate?
The argument for fate is easy to make in the story of Oedipus Rex. This is because their is a prophecy told which states Oedipus, he will kill his father and marry his mother. As the gods foretold this ended up happening, although the characters tried to avoid this. By Oedipus's parents sending him to die on Mt. Citharon however Oedipus was saved and sent to another city, in which he grew up. However Oedipus discovered this prophecy and left the city he grew up in, in an attempt to avoid the prophecy. He thought his adopted parents were his real parents. When he leaves the city he fulfills the prophecy. Displaying the concept of fate. However Sophocles' in my opinion has a strong belief in free will. This is illustrated in the story of Oedipus due to his decision to find out the truth. In which Oedipus expresses his free will by finding the truth of his history. This is a demonstration of Oedipus's free will through his determination to find the truth.
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