free will presentation

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