Can someone please explain to me why free will does not exist?

Question

I have heard: Because all decisions are based on previous input arguments.

I want a real one that actually works with the definitions of the words "Will" and "Free"?

Thanks.

Open a dictionary and define "Will".

You are allowed to use your brain for those facultys.

Answer 1

Good for you for recognizing the arguments hinge on the definition of the term "free will"!

First off, free will, for most people, refers to a choice made unencumbered by threats, drugs, or other artificial or frightening influences. Under that definition, which almost everyone will accept, free will definitely exists and is exercised daily by almost every person. You will probably choose your next click on your computer "of your own free will."

HOWEVER, there is at least one alternative definition of "free will" that gets confused with the first one. Under this usage, people refer to "free will" as a choice mechanism within a person that is uninfluenced at all by outside forces. This usage suggests that there is a component of human beings that makes choices entirely from a point of freedom. The argument is that if you can choose to do "right" or "wrong," then you have free will. However, if there is no part of you that is free from historical influences, then perhaps the choice is not really there, and your choice is made for you (predetermined) prior to your conscious decision.

Under this definition, those who support "free will" as a concept often point to the soul, or as its detractors refer to it, the "ghost in the machine," as the source of free will.

If you decide that alternatively there is no soul, you are left with the idea that the human animal, indeed all animals, are created from genetic material that dictates much of our actions, and environmental influences that mold the remaining actions. Even though we think and can solve problems, even creating tools and art, these are outgrowths & meldings of what has existed before. (We all stand on the shoulders of giants.)

So for the more influence-free definition of "free will" there is great evidence that indeed does not exist. What matters most, however, is our own perception of making choices, because it is through that perception that we sense some control over our lives, our health, our safety, our connections to loved ones, and our abilities to satisfy our own longings.

However, the persons we are are entirely drawn by our genetics and our environment, and no part of ourselves can be free from them without ceasing to exist at all.

^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^

Answer 2

The entire premise makes no sense. If something besides your brain is controlling your actions and decisions - what is it? Why does everything like your personality, emotions, perception, and cognitive capabilities all reside in specific areas of your brain - yet somehow the things you do are "beyond" your brain??

Your brain is physical. It follows the laws of physics. Its causal - every physical thing is deterministic. This is why free will doesn't exist.

EDIT: Free will as defined by theists - does not permit determinism in the sense that your brain is constrained to the laws of physics. Good luck with your dictionary.

Answer 3

A key part of our mental and emotional makeup is free will. Yes, God implanted in us the faculty of freedom of choice. It was indeed a wonderful gift from him.

No normal person wants his life taken out of his control so completely. Why not? Because of the way God made us. The Bible tells us that God created man in his 'image and likeness,' and one of the faculties God himself has is freedom of choice. (Genesis 1:26; Deuteronomy 7:6) When he created humans, he gave them that same wonderful faculty—the gift of free will. That is one reason why we find it frustrating to be enslaved by oppressive rulers.

So the desire for freedom is no accident, for God is a God of freedom. The Bible says: "Where the spirit of Jehovah is, there is freedom." (2 Corinthians 3:17) Hence, God gave us free will as part of our very makeup. Since he knew the way our minds and emotions would work, he knew that we would be happiest with free will.

To go with the gift of free will, God gave us the ability to think, weigh matters, make decisions, and know right from wrong. (Hebrews 5:14) Thus, free will was to be based on intelligent choice. We were not made like mindless robots having no will of their own. Nor were we created to act out of instinct as were the animals. Instead, our marvelous brain was designed to work in harmony with our freedom of choice.

Answer 4

When satan took over christainity he removed the law of God and enforce his will on them.
When knowledge of the Bible was remove from the followers;the followers get up their free will.
But, they can get it back if they repent and hear Yahoshua calling them.
praise YHWH