What’s Your Theory

[bag_of_struggles]

“Do you think he was powerless to the grip of circumstances, or could he have helped himself?”

so the movie is asking about a book specifically. I’ve never read it, but what are we do you think? Victims of circumstances or can we still help ourselves?

Not to leave a question unanswered I’d say I’m divided. I think our circumstances predispose us to a certain fate but nothing is certain unless we let it be, at least in terms of our actions.

(movie is The Ordinary People)

 

[Anonymous ID]

Your past can justify your actions but it is how you handle your past that determines your character

 

[Legate Lanius]

All biological output can be traced back to the genes and environment without remainder.

 

[Nick]

This is how I see it. There are things about me I cannot change. There are things in my life I cannot change. Those things are what they are. It doesn't render me powerless. While there are things I do not have control over, and things I cannot change, there are things I can.

I cannot change the way my brain is wired. I cannot change the things that happened to me in the past. I cannot change the behaviors of my biological family. I can choose to do things to improve my quality of life. I can choose to limit my time with people who treat me like dirt. I'm not powerless, I'm just not not all powerful.