Do we have free will? Free will is an illusion designed to deceive people in society. In this essay I will explain why free will is non-existent and an illusion in our society. I will first discuss how laws and rules have become our boundaries in society, which will lead to how society pressures people to not adapt to their society. Finally, I will discuss how the people in our lives can affect us, which in turn affects the amount of free will we have. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay We do not have complete free will in our society. No matter where we go, there are rules in place for us. We are expected to follow these rules, otherwise we will face the consequences of not following them. For example, paying fines for eating, drinking or smoking on trains in Singapore is one of the many consequences one can face for breaking the rules. This is similar to how parents return their children to their cribs when they escape. They are even taught and trained not to do it. It’s a way of setting limits and rules for ourselves from a very young age. Those who break the rules are punished as a reminder to follow these rules, our boundaries. However, do we have free will within these boundaries? Within these boundaries: the existing law and rules set by the government, it is inevitable that there will be stereotypes and societal norms in a society. People are expected to conform to these societal expectations and norms in order to fit in. “Why stand out when you can fit in?” is a state of mind common to most, if not all, members of our society. These have become limitations as we are stripped of our ability to have free will. As members of society, we limit ourselves in such a way that we no longer have free will. Therefore, I can infer that most people want to integrate into their own society to feel included. I can conclude that there is no free will if we want to adapt and conform to society's expectations. Finally, making choices is inevitable and necessary in our lives. Everyone must make choices for themselves, but are these choices really theirs? We live in a society where environment, education, religion, tradition, culture, financial status, social classes and gender play an important role in our lives. Our choices will therefore be directly affected by these factors around us. One example is how we tend to consult others, such as our family and friends, before making choices. This makes making choices for yourself not just a one-person decision, because it involves many other people. Therefore, I conclude that “making your own choices” is a decision made by the main person involved and influenced by those around them. This shows that “making your own choices” is an illusion and proves that free will does not exist. However, partial free will can still exist if we change the way we live. Instead of letting society dictate what one can and cannot do, everyone can choose to follow their heart and do what they want without breaking any laws or political boundaries. If one abandons the prejudices and discrimination of society, one can possess a certain degree of free will to do what one.