What is free will?

 

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Philosophy Now Article

Please find the following article: - What is Free Will?

Some Questions for Discussion

1. What is freedom?
2. What is Free Will?
3. Am I really free to do whatever I like?
4. What are the external obstacles to one's freedom?
5. What are the internal obstacles, both mental and physical, to one's freedom?  
6. People, and other social animals, give up some freedom to live in communities for survival and happiness.  What are some reasons people should give up some freedom?
7. How much freedom is appropriate for people living in a community?

Some questions from Bing Copilot

Philosophical questions about freedom and free will delve into some of the most profound and complex aspects of human existence. Here are a few key questions:

1. What is free will?

   - Is it the ability to make choices free from external constraints, or does it require the absence of internal constraints as well?

2. Do humans have free will?

   - Are our actions determined by prior causes, or do we have the genuine ability to choose differently?

3. What is the relationship between free will and moral responsibility?

   - Can we be held morally responsible for our actions if they are determined by factors beyond our control?

4. How does free will relate to determinism?

   - If the universe operates according to deterministic laws, is free will an illusion?

5. What role does free will play in the concept of personal identity?

   - How do our choices shape who we are, and can we change our identity through the exercise of free will?

6. Can free will coexist with divine omniscience?

   - If a deity knows everything that will happen, do we still have the freedom to choose?

7. How do different philosophical traditions view free will?

   - What are the perspectives of existentialism, compatibilism, libertarianism, and other schools of thought on free will?

8. What are the implications of free will for legal and social systems?

   - How should our understanding of free will influence laws, punishments, and social policies?

These questions have been debated for centuries and continue to inspire rich philosophical inquiry. Do any of these questions particularly resonate with you or spark your curiosity?