{Human} Free Will — Examination
Free will is the perceived ability of humans to make independent decisions that are not strictly determined by natural laws, past events, or divine intervention.
The concept of free will, while fascinating and complex, presents several controversial points when analyzed from various perspectives.
Here, we critique the philosophical, theological, and cognitive science perspectives, providing counter-arguments that challenge the validity of free will.
The Philosophical Paradox
“Everything that happens necessarily happens; everything that is, is conditioned and conditioned in turn, conditioned by a series of causes and effects that stretch back into the infinite.” — Baruch Spinoza
Determinism, certainly, argues that all events are the result of preceding causes. If all our steps are predetermined, the concept of creating autonomous choices is a misapprehension.
“We are not the authors of our own destinies. We are bound by the laws of cause and effect, like everything else in the universe.” — Arthur Schopenhauer
Every choice we make, every decision we take, is predetermined by an intricate web of causal chains.
In this viewpoint, the concept of free will becomes suspicious, if not completely illusory.
Imagine, a grand universal screenplay, with every line of dialogue and every action meticulously written by the Writer and empowered by the Creator.
Our lives unfold according to this predetermined narrative, with our choices merely playing out as predestined scenes. Our sense of agency, of making independent choices, becomes nothing more than a clever illusion, a deception designed to keep us unaware of our predetermined paths, keeping us guilty.
But what about the feeling of free will that we experience on a daily basis…
The sense that we are in control of our actions and decisions? It does not matter, your senses lie to you,
That feeling may be nothing more than a well-crafted illusion, a product of the vast machinery of determinism working behind the scenes.
The forces that shape our lives — our genetics, our upbringing, our societal influences — are intricately woven into the fabric of determinism.
They guide our thoughts, our desires, and our actions, leading us down predetermined paths.
Our choices, then, become mere reflections of these underlying causal factors, rather than true manifestations of free will.
Heres the Spiritual depth and abstract Wisdom outside of full comprehension:
While our choices may be predetermined, our experience of making them is still real.
We may not have the power to alter the course of events, but we can still feel the weight of decision-making, the internal struggle that accompanies our choices.
It is as if determinism allows us to play the role, even though the strings are ultimately controlled by unseen hands.
Determinism may cast doubt upon the existence of free will, it also invites us to question the very nature of our perceived reality. It challenges us to explore the depths of our consciousness, to unravel the layers of illusion that shroud our understanding of agency and choice.
Free Will and Determinism Compatible?
The compatibilist stance, which argues that determinism and free will can coexist, also has its flaws.
If our choices are constrained by prior events, can we truly claim to have free will?
Or are we simply navigating within a predetermined framework, mistaking limitation for liberty?
Theological Inconsistencies In Mainstream Christianity
The theological perspective, attributing free will to divine design, presents its own set of inconsistencies.
If our Creator has granted humans free will, then the existence of evil poses a significant challenge.
If humans are solely responsible for their actions, how do we reconcile the concept of divine intervention?
Does it not infringe upon our supposed free will?
Cognitive Science: A Challenge to Free Will
The cognitive science perspective introduces further complications.
If our decisions are the product of complex neurological processes, then the idea of independent choice is brought into question. While research suggests our choices might be influenced by subconscious processes, it doesn’t negate the possibility of free will.
Instead, it suggests that our understanding of free will may need to be redefined to accommodate these subconscious influences.
A Concept Under Siege
Upon critical analysis, the concept of free will appears more fraught with contradictions than it initially seems.
The philosophical, theological, and cognitive science perspectives each offer unique challenges to the existence of free will.
While the discourse around free will continues to morph and evolve, it is essential to question and critique each perspective. \
