Stream of Consciousness

I doubt this is ground-breaking stuff, probably naive and inarticulate but what are you gonna do....

We have no free will. Choice is an illusion. We are all the direct result of our society. The choices we make are also influenced by the society. We attempt to identify ourselves and come to an understanding of who we are yet even this self-discovery is an illusion. Since a society can exist in a variety of contexts, one may have the influence of one or more societies in ones life. One may redefine their life entirely and "switch" societies. But most of us are some combination of macro and micro societies. The illusion of free will and choice are such that your choice will be a direct result of the various influences of your life. Your "choice" is simply the result of the strongest imprint left by the various influences. You take a "stand" on a certain issue. Dedicate your life to a certain purpose. But this purpose is merely a result of your influences and experiences. Does this make your purpose less valid? Not in the eyes of your peers. Perhaps in the eyes of some deity. But if your purpose is not valid to a deity, they are indifferent to it either way, and would take no offense to your direction.

Opposing an influencing society in your life is not abnormal because you must do this in order to accept another. Since we are finite and cannot be universally accepting of all societies (although we can probably at least be tolerant of them) it is natural to reject certain aspects or influences entirely. Our rationale for this task is most likely the culmination of our influences and experience. If you were raised without money and were taught to value it then your purpose may be stability or to a greater extent abundance. But if at some point you develop a disease that dictates your life you may switch your focus.

Natural instincts surely play a roll as by our biological clocks we may desire to procreate and extend our line. But that too is not truly a choice; merely a primordial societal impulse. The most generic and simplistic society is that of the human species. We all desire (to some extent) to live. We evolve, progress and continue our species because it is the ultimate purpose. As we split into smaller societies defined by religion and geography (and therefore skin color and culture) we still desire progress but have a priority shift to accommodate for these other influences. We want to live, but only in the fashion defined by our religion, which we believe should be the same for all others. All those who oppose will convert their views or die. Those that are alienated from their culture may convert. Those that prioritize survival may convert. Those that are alienated from that culture may resist. Those that believe they have a better chance of survival on either side will choose so accordingly.