Genome Chapter 22: Free Will

Ridley's final chapter of Genome discusses the seemingly conflicting concepts of free will and genetic determinism.  Free Will supposes that each individual controls all of his and her actions through conscious deliberation and use of experience and knowledge.  In contrast, genetic determinism in its extreme supposes that any and all actions made by humans, animals, or plants, are planned, dictated, and predetermined by the genes that are coded in each cell of our body.  Ridley supposes the determinism is not very plausible and that the aspect of nurture plays a large role that should not be taken for granted.  Ridley invokes an example using child abusers.  Using this topic, Ridley also notes that children may often stimulate nurture in their own parents because it helps the learn how to better care and foster safer environments that are beneficial to the overall survival and fitness of a species. It is important to consider that nearly infinite number of factors and influences that may steer an organism.  Free will is also one of these factors. While it may not be able to control everything, it is certainly a major part in the events that occur in the lives of humans and other organisms.