Whether we humans actually have free will or not is perhaps a hotly debated topic. I say perhaps, because it would probably depend on who you ask. While for some prone to, or interested in a certain degree of introspection, the existence of free will represents a cornerstone of our understanding of human existence, deeply interwoven with our notions of morality and personal agency, for some others, it is not even a question worth asking. Is it significant in our everyday life that we are the architects of our lives - thereby shaping our destinies, or does it make no difference if this cherished belief is an illusion? Some scientific discoveries and philosophical arguments have increasingly challenged the idea that we are truly free agents, suggesting instead that our actions may be influenced by factors beyond our control. What are the implications of this philosophical but simultaneously highly practical topic in psychotherapy? And more importantly, does it need to matter to you?
Determinism and Its Complexities
Science, with its relentless pursuit of causality, offers a view that seems to undermine the very foundation of free will. According to Determinism, every event, including human actions, is the inevitable result of preceding events, which are the results of the events that precede that, in turn which are the results of what precedes that, forming a chain right up to the beginning of time (and there is debate on the ‘beginning of time’ from what we know at the moment). If we trust the deterministic framework, then if all variables can be accounted for in a highly sophisticated way (which is beyond what humans could ever do), we could predict every action with certainty. While that does not seem something that is realistic to do, Neuroscience has provided some particularly intriguing evidence that questions the existence of free will. For example, Benjamin Libet’s experiments in the 1980s revealed brain activity related to decision-making occurs milliseconds before individuals report being consciously aware of their decision to act. However, the implications of Libet’s experiments have been widely debated.
Philosophical Perspectives: Free Will, Determinism, and Their Intersection
The philosophical debate over free will and determinism is old – and seemingly never gets old either. Thinkers like Baruch Spinoza and Pierre-Simon Laplace, have suggested that human beings, like all other entities in the universe, are bound by the same causal chains. Is there room for free will if that is the case? This notion is so deeply uncomfortable to others, who balk at the idea that we, and everything else are merely automatons dancing to the tune of causality.
Daniel Dennett, a leading advocate of compatibilism, argues that free will and determinism can coexist. He suggests that free will should not be understood as the ability to act independently of all influences, but rather as the ability to act with agency. For Dennett, although our present is shaped by our past, they still allow us to have intentions that reflect our values and goals.
On the other hand, philosophers like Robert Kane defend what is known as "libertarian free will", where individuals can make genuinely free choices that are not determined by prior events. Kane argues that in morally significant situations, we are ‘free to choose’ between different courses of action which are not limited by past events.
More recently there is Sam Harris, creating waves in some circles by arguing that free will is an illusion. He supports the belief that thoughts and actions are shaped by a combination of genetic, environmental, and neurological factors, all of which lie outside our conscious control. However, Harris still maintains that the ‘illusion of free will’ should not lead us to abandon morality and responsibility. If we can acknowledge that individuals are shaped by forces beyond their control, will it enable us towards a more compassionate understanding (and tolerance) of human behaviour?
Psychological and Therapeutic Implications
While differing perspectives highlight the complexity of the free will debate, in a therapy space, individuals can be helped to achieve an awareness and understanding of possible determinants of their behaviour. This can be especially useful if the behaviours in question are problematic. Exploring environmental influences and predispositions due to family - whether genetic or upbringing can help individuals get a better understanding of previously unconscious motivations. Approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) also emphasise accepting current thoughts and feelings and committing to actions aligned with authentic personal values, rather than immediately attempting to control what is deemed unacceptable without sufficient understanding and self-compassion.
In therapy, as in life, the belief in the possibility of change and growth can play a major part in psychological well-being. Even if our choices are influenced by unconscious processes, psychotherapy can help with expanding our self-awareness. Reclaiming our personal narrative in the therapy room amidst challenges that we face in life can help us navigate our unique experience, integrating any difficulties arising from our history with understanding and compassion.