“Man is a reasonable being and as such he always continues to act as if he were a free agent though he is in fact otherwise”
— David Hume
Simplified Meaning:
People believe they have the ability to choose and control their actions, but often they are influenced by factors they may not be aware of. For instance, someone might think they chose their job purely out of free will, but in reality, their choice could have been influenced by parental expectations, financial needs, or societal norms. This means that while we like to think we're making independent choices, a lot of what we do is shaped by our environment and circumstances. Understanding this can help us be more mindful of why we make the decisions we do. For example, if you realize that peer pressure is influencing your choices, you can take steps to make decisions that align more with your true desires and values. Knowing we're not always as free as we think can help us strive for more genuine freedom in our actions.