A Clockwork Orange Free Will Analysis

The philosophical question of if we, as individuals, have free will is one that does not produce a concrete answer. But in 1971, Stanley Kubrick brought that question to life in a film called A Clockwork Orange. This film portrays a young man named Alex, who is a criminal gang leader, and participates in the Ultra-Violence. Does Alex have the free will to choose his fate as a dangerous, drug-induced criminal in society or is has his fate been predetermined since birth? Could the environment in which he lives be the ultimate cause of his terrible actions? Does he have the option to make moral decisions on his own or is the government of this dystopian society in control? This film goes on to push the boundaries by showing an oppressive government with a new Minister of …show more content…
The Priest passes his wisdom on too little Alex, saying that “goodness is chosen. When one cannot choose, one ceases to be a man.” This is shared after Alex pleads that he wants to be a better person and do something good, for once. If Alex has had free will his whole conscious life, then he has made the choice to be a criminal and do terrible things. You see, Alex had no remorse when committing crimes in the streets, and even sang songs and symphonies while doing so. He knew these things were wrong and wretched, yet continued to do them. And although his cries of wanting to be a better member of society and his eagerness to show that he has been reformed are seen, could he enter back into everyday life as a better person? On the contrary, what if Alex did not have free will at all? That all his choices leading to his actions were predetermined from birth. Then even with the remorseful acknowledgments of becoming a good Christian man after being a model prisoner for two years could not change him. So, the government decides to try to change