Day 15: Exploring the Concept of Free Will
Free will relates to acting freely. It might also entail the freedom to choose alternatives from multiple options.
If we attribute purpose to our choices, then we are approaching fatalism. We often say “everything happens for a reason.” It suggests that we do not have free will and that our choices are always governed by external forces - everything has already been written as per fate. It also means that whatever choice we make is the right one. There will only be a single outcome regardless of our decision.
When we say free will exists, we are essentially saying that we are in control of our choices. There can be “n” number of outcomes. Every choice will have a separate outcome. Free will suggests that there might not be a purpose to whatever choice you make. It can be easily random or in sync with something. Whatever consequence free will has, it cannot be attributed to fate.
On one end of the spectrum is free will and on the other end is fate. I feel most of us fall somewhere in between. We like to think we are choosing freely AND it is leading us to some higher purpose. I believe it keeps us sane and hopeful.
I am not a philosophy student but I know there’s 100 times more to free will than what I just shared. Maybe we have free will, maybe we don’t. We can choose whatever works for us, and maybe that’s the right choice.