History echoes countless tales of men dying to gain back their freedom and free will. If we flip backwards in the pages of history, we will notice many attempts at defining the concept of free will, and to what extent is man free in this world. The social scientist that attempted to put a fixed meaning to the concept of free will, and who will be the subject of my analysis today, is Thomas Hobbes. Hobbes uses voluntary action, aversion, and deliberation, to try answer the question of whether or not man is free to do as he pleases. On page 118 of Leviathan, Hobbes first introduces us to voluntary action, or voluntary motion, stating that it is: “as to go, to speak, to move any of our limbes, in such manner as is first fancied in our minds.” Man has to first desire to do something, and that is voluntary action. The basis of voluntary action, according to Hobbes, is imagination (Leviathan, p. 118). When an action is still in one’s mind, before man translates it into action, it is called Endeavor (Leviathan, p. 119). When Endeavor is towards something, it’s a desire. When Endeavor is forward something, it’s called an aversion. Naturally, human beings have heir desires, appetites, and fears, but they also experience something called Deliberation, which is “putting an end to the Liberty we had of doing, or omitting, according to our own Appetite, or Aversion”. Hobbes then proceeds to define free will in term of Deliberation on p, 128, Leviathan: “Will therefore is the last Appetite in Deliberating”. Furthermore, Hobbes believes that deliberation is expressed subjunctively, as in there are consequences to every action, and man is aware of that.

Free will is given to every individual, and man is free in his own mind, to a certain extent. Imagination is the basis of action, however, there are outside factors that limit one’s free will. I agree with Hobbes’ point of view, for multiple reasons. First, in our modern day and time, man belongs to his society, and societies have certain expectations. In Afghanistan, for example, Women are forced to wear Burqas at all times in public. Afghani women might have the desire to not abide by this rule, however, their surroundings force them to do so. In this case, we see the absence of free will. If an Afghani woman walked outside her household, defying the expectations of society, she might not only risk her own life, but the life of her family too. Second, one must keep in mind that people belong to different religions and beliefs all over the world. What is ‘acceptable’ for one man to do in one country might not be acceptable in another. For example, in Afghanistan a woman must wear a Burqa, but when she travels to another country where it is legal, she is then given a choice. I find it interesting that freedom and free will nowadays change when one shifts from living in one place to another. Man is free in his mind, but one cannot ignore that society, culture, and religion put a limit to how far man can exercise his freedom. In my opinion, I believe that one’s freedom ends once he or she interferes in another person, or country’s, freedom. For example, if someone desires something that my country and my government does not allow, and goes ahead and does it, without bearing in mind the consequences, I do not see ‘free will’ as a good enough excuse for he or she to do it.

Hobbes explains free will using voluntary action, desires, and deliberation. He goes on to explain that imagination is the base of voluntary action, and that there are factors that limit one’s complete freedom to do as he or she pleases. Man is free in both his conscious and subconscious mind, however, when it comes to turning his desires into action, it important to keep in mind society, culture, and religion, all of which bind man from having complete freedom and free will.