To what extent can science prove that free will is an illusion?
Thiashya and Pilar
What is free will?
Free will: Humans are free moral agents whose actions are not predetermined
“Men think themselves free because they are conscious of their actions, but ignorant of their causes.”
- Baruch Spinoza (1632-1677)
Benjamin Libet conducted an experiment which proved that the subconscious issues the command to make a spontaneous
movement before the conscious mind has had a chance to make a decision
“We feel that we choose,” says the neuroscientist John-Dylan Haynes, “but we don’t.”
If someone is able to predict our choice with 100% certainty, does this mean our choice is
not free?
Liberty:‘the power to act or not act, according as the mind directs’
Will:‘power to direct the operative faculties to motion or rest in particular instances’
‘It is the mind that operates and exerts these powers; it is the man that does the action; it is the agent that has the power, or
is able to do’ - Locke
‘there may be thought, there may be will…when there is no liberty’ - Locke
‘a human can very well do what he wants, but cannot will what he wants’ - Einstein
‘a human can very well do what he wants, but cannot will what he wants’ - Einstein