Define, free will?

Question

thank you ;)

Answer 1

Free will has been used by politicians, revolutionist and any kind of leader. But how free is that will?
Well in it's narrowest meaning , is to be able to decide for your own, like what to do, where to go , whom you vote for, etc.
But such thing doesn't exist, because it is constrained by many factors, like social, physical, ethical and so on. Above all, we are slaves of choice and that by itself makes will lesser.
On the other hand, what's the meaning of will if there is no choice?
Well that's it. choice forces will to be, and that is already a constraint in its existence.
Because we understand the world and the meanings by means of pairs, we cannot define the absolute. So absolutely free will doesn't exist.

Answer 2

Some claim that a person acts freely only when the person willed the act and the person could have done otherwise.

While others think that if man's behavior is determined through cause and effect (meaning that our choices are determined by all the previous choices made before, not just your own), then we are nothing more sophisticated than wind-up toys.

There are other views of course, but this question has baffled the brightest minds for centuries.


Personally, I'd like to think I can do whatever I wish to do, but I can see the argument for determinism. Very difficult question!!

Answer 3

Free will is the ability to have a personal response to an event.

Of course, some events may be beyond our ability to cope with, to solve -- still, even in regard to these sometimes catastrophes some people curse God and others pray for him to remember them in the resurrection.

Thus whether the response is an internal mental one or some action we take, that is free will -- the choice of hearts.

Answer 4

Being able to do what you want and having choices. Hence no peer pressure or addictions. Many people consider that a part of free will but most of those people aren't even making a choice they might as well be robots they are about as easy to predict. Being able to do whatever you want is free will that is why I like being random.

Answer 5

It is usually supposed to mean the ability (for a human being) to decide what one will do. In that case, however, it would be difficult to grasp this by using this phrase. It does not, after all, mean more than the will as such being free.

Answer 6

Free Will is the gift from God that allows human being to choose from among various actions, for which we are held accountable. It is the basis for moral responsibility.

Answer 7

The Free Shakespeare Festival in Louiville.

The ability to chose everything in your life....you are not predestined to choose things.

Answer 8

the delusional belief that our intellect can make choices independent of "instinct"/"upbringing"/"moral/utilitarian" judgments

point in fact, we are genetically hard wired for no less than 70%-80% of our "choices"/answers...probably even to the questions themselves...

"free will"...an artificial, intellectual construct to give humanity the mistaken belief that independent, sentient choices can be made...that we are therefore superior to the "mere" animals

Answer 9

I'm guessing here but interesting Q.

I would say to be able to choose A or B without any one forcing/tricking me to choose a certain one.

I love spell check!

Answer 10

The ability to make any decisions you want based on nothing but your own feelings and attitudes.