"I have noticed even people who claim everything is predestined, and that we can do nothing to change it, look before they cross the road"

Stephen Hawking's quote, "I have discovered even people who claim everything is predestined, which we can do nothing to alter it, look before they cross the roadway," deftly highlights the contrast in between theoretical beliefs and practical actions. Through this observation, Hawking highlights the inherent paradox in human habits concerning the philosophical debate on free will versus determinism.

The quote accentuates a fundamental contradiction: individuals who profess a belief in predestination-- suggesting that all occasions are predetermined and inevitable-- still engage in behaviors that suggest a belief in their capability to affect results. The act of looking before crossing the road is a fundamental example of exerting care based on the presumption that a person's actions can undoubtedly alter future events. This indicates an intuitive dependence on free choice, even amongst those who might intellectually decline it.

Hawking's remark lights up how deeply ingrained the idea of causality is in human decision-making. Even if life is translucented a deterministic lens, where every occasion follows an unchangeable script, the instinctual drive to ensure safety or enhance a result suggests a dual acknowledgment of firm. It highlights the intricacy of human psychology, where lived experiences and survival impulses typically override abstract convictions.

Moreover, the quote discreetly critiques the imperfections of stiff deterministic beliefs when faced with real-world circumstances. It suggests that human conduct is inherently practical, frequently diverging from philosophical ideals when immediate personal security or effects are at stake. This observation is not just a reflection on human habits but can be seen as an invitation to embrace a more nuanced understanding of determinism and free will, acknowledging that our actions conveniently straddle the line between the 2.

In essence, Hawking's declaration is a pointer of the richness of humanity, where theoretical beliefs are constantly tested by everyday experiences. It asks readers to reflect on their habits and consider how beliefs equate-- or fail to translate-- into concrete actions.