P1+Angela,+Kelsey,+Jade

=**Free Will**= Information Compiled by: Jade Nunes

Free will is the suggestion that people have the ability to choose and do whatever it is that they want without the fear of being oppressed by any outside force. Philosophers have tried to define free will in simple terms but often come up with these two slightly different theories: free will as choosing on the basis of one’s desires, and free will as deliberative choosing on the basis of desires and values. The first suggests that people may do whatever it is they please and do not worry about their own personal values. The second acknowledges personal morals and values and suggests that a person’s values inhibit a person’s will and therefore, it is not free will any longer. This begs the question of it people actually have free will? Are people born able to do whatever it is they wish or is there a preinstalled notion of things one can, can’t, should, shouldn’t, will, or won’t do? Daniel Wegner argues that “the notion that human actions are ever initiated by their own conscious willings is simply a deeply-entrenched illusion” (Wegner 2002). He goes on to describe the reason this illusion is generated within human cognitive systems. Free will is a large concept and many people have tried to prove or disprove its existence. However, the majority of people support the idea that they can do whatever they please, have the power choose, and be able to form their own ideas and opinions. Free will is defined individually and the way in which people live only exemplifies the definition of their own personal free will.

Works Cited: Clark, Ann Marie, //Diplomacy of Conscience: Amnesty International and Changing Human Rights Norms,// 2001; Hufton, Olwen, //Historical Changes and Human Rights,//1995; Savic, Obrad, //The Politics of Human Rights,// 1999.

=**Modernism**= Information Compiled by: Jade Nunes

Modernism is, in the simplest terms, the movement of new radical ideals and morals that have spurred technological advances, progress in society, and the spark of inner thoughts and feelings in individuals. Those who believe that everyone is unique and in charge of their own future and those who beg to challenge tradition may be considered modernists. These are the people who take great strides in showing the world great new outlandish works of arts, controversial theories and just acting on personal want rather than the pressures of society. Modernists are marked with “strong consciousness” and “free will” with the addition of an obvious break from the norm. Modernists inspire change. Modernism is sparked from mass industrialism, alienation and experimentation. Examples of this are the Harlem Renaissance and the Jazz Age. According to Allen Tate, “It (the modern mind) believes that we create the world in the act of perceiving it. It implies a historical discontinuity, a sense of alienation, loss and despair” (Tate). Tate explains in elegant terms that modernism is based in the human mind and is fed by thoughts of change, of being ‘alienated’ and most importantly, the thoughts that society has caused ‘loss’ and ‘despair’ and it is up to the individual modern mind to make strides to overcome these notions and therein lies the beginnings of modern thinking and of course, modernism.

Works Cited: Singal, Daniel Joseph. "Toward a Definition of American Modernism." //Hobart and William Smith// Colleges. //American Quarterly, Web. 19 Aug. 2010.//

=**Existentialism**= Information Compiled by: Angela Huizar



Existentialism is a philosophical belief that existence comes before essence. People who believe this believe that a person creates their existence by their own free choices. Hubert L. Dreyfus stated that “Existentialism, philosophical movement or tendency, emphasizing individual existence, freedom, and choice, that influenced many diverse writers in the 19th and 20th centuries.” (CSUN.edu). By this Dreyfus is basically suggesting that existentialism is defining how people create themselves/ their existence. He explains that it stresses the importance on a person creating themselves by “individual existence, freedom, and choice”. He believes that these three things that people do for themselves are what creates their existence. He also states that it was most influential during the time of the 19th and 20th centuries. There are many different things that make up the theory of existentialism but this is the most prevalent and re-occurring theme.

Dreyfus, Hubert."Existentialism." //CSUN. Web. 20 Aug. 2010.//

=**Fate**= Information Compiled by: Angela Huizar



Fate is basically the same thing as destiny. It is something that is predetermined and happens regardless of what a person chooses. The dictionary states that"Greek & Roman Mythology the three goddesses who preside over the birth and life of humans. Each person's destiny was thought of as a thread spun, measured, and cut by the three Fates, Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos". This shows that fate is something that is predetermined. It can also be called destiny. The three goddesses determined someone's fate with three simple steps. This proves that there was no real order to which people's fate was determined. Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos did not necessarily create people's destiny because of their own wishes. People's destiny/fate was created by a random act. "Fate" //Apple Dictionary//.

=**Freedom**= Information Compiled by: Kelsey Crescenzo



Freedom is the right to speak, act, or think one’s mind with out the interference of other people. It is also something that every American is granted automatically at birth. An article that was found that was called //“Students at Lincoln Memorial told to stop singing National Anthem”//. The article was about a group of high school students were attending a conservative leadership convention in Washington D.C. at the Lincoln memorial on June 25. As they were walking around they began to sing the national anthem. A security guard that was nearby, told the group of high school students to stop singing. Todd Starnes says, “They told them to stop singing,” said Evan Gassman, a spokesman for the Young America’s Foundation. “I was taken aback. You wouldn’t expect a display of national patriotism to be censored." This quote explains that many people were astonished as to why the children were forced to stop singing. “I didn’t realize there was something wrong with singing the national anthem” (Balcomb). This quote explains how many of the high school students were puzzled as to why the security guard made them stop singing simply because they were too loud. This article represents freedom due to Americans having the freedom of speech, however the group of high school students had their freedom taken away from the security guard telling them to stop singing the national anthem.

Starnes, Todd. //Students at Lincoln Memorial told to stop singing National Anthem.// Todd Starnes, 2010. Web. 9 Aug. 2010.