Actually, psychologists have studied volition quite extensively (e.g, huge amounts of decision-making literature). Volition is affected by both nature and nurture. For example, think about two children in the same family who have different personalities. Most attentive parents recognize that some traits at birth are "hard-wired". Nurture can modify outcomes. Even as babies, children will make different choices as to whether to explore or not explore a new situation. Choices are linked to abilities as well. Some aspects of abilities and personality are inherited too. Nurture has been "in vogue" since the 1960's, but DNA research is bringing back the study of more complex "nature" factors.
An interesting comment. Thank you.
I'm very much aware of the large body of work on volition. It's mostly bunk. The best work on the subject can be found in philosophy instead of psychology.
Volition isn't affected by nature or nurture; decisions are. It's a crucial difference. As I wrote, the existence of genetic or environmental influences does not alter the fundamental fact of volition. I think the confusion you're having is that you assume volition to be possible in different degrees. However, if human beings can freely select between two alternatives then they are fully volitional.
I agree, of course, that nature and nurture can modify outcomes. Influences will assert themselves upon the decision-making process and many will (whether appropriately or not) allow themselves to be fully directed by those influences. But this is not valid evidence against the fact of volition.
Good to see you getting your blogging mojo back!
Thanks, Joe. I've taken on some major projects lately which has left me with much less time for blogging. Still, I'll do my best to update more frequently.
I agree with Farmer Joe, and also about the idea that the answers are best found in philosophy instead of psychology.
And interesting book I must reread is Making Sense of Your Freedom by James Felt (Harvard prof). In particular, it talks about how we view time impacts our ideas of determinism.
Its a nice article.Similar to the "egg and chicken" argument, the long-standing
nature versus nurture argument regarding behavioral traits has puzzled scientists and educators alike. The diverse viewpoints have spawned various expectations regarding the ability to manipulate intelligence. However, neither genetics nor environment can fully encapsulate and explain the complex behavior exhibited by humans. Some behaviors seem to not be influenced by experience and others have very convincing learning mechanisms. For more on the argument visit http://en.oboulo.com/intelligenc...ture-
56395.html
Commenting by HaloScan
