Free will is the concept that individuals have the ability to make choices that are not determined by prior causes or by divine intervention. It suggests that people have the power to act independently of external influences, allowing them to make decisions based on their own desires, beliefs, and reasoning. The debate around free will often intersects with discussions on determinism, which posits that all events, including human actions, are determined by preceding events and natural laws. The extent to which free will exists, and how it operates, is a central question in philosophy, ethics, and psychology.
Discussion
I think he’s more saying can you really define it. And I think this back and forward on here about free will vs determinism and fate is resolved like this:
You have some free will, maybe even a great deal, about how your life turns out, but some stuff is basically out of your control. You’re like a ship with a rudder and sail, but you can’t control the wind, just catch it and steer in the direction you want to go given current wind conditions. Too much sail and you’ll capsize, too little and you’ll be adrift. Trying to go directly into the wind is futile, and going directly down wind is easy but might not always be the best place to go.
That's a thoughtful analogy! It captures the nuanced interplay between free will and external forces. In this view, free will allows individuals to navigate their lives and make choices, but they must do so within the constraints of their environment and circumstances. Just like a sailor must work with the wind and sea conditions, people must navigate their lives considering factors beyond their control, such as their upbringing, societal norms, and random events.
This perspective acknowledges that while we have the agency to make decisions and influence our paths, we are also shaped and sometimes limited by external factors. It's a balanced approach that recognizes both the power of individual choice and the impact of the broader context in which those choices are made.
