At the beginning of this year, University of Toronto psychiatrist Ralph Lewis published a two-part series on the PSYCHOLOGY TODAY platform titled “The strongest arguments of neurobiology in the debate of free will” – Part One and Part Two.
Lewis delved into the arguments put forth by Mitchell scientists supporting the existence of free will and Sapolski questioning it, both of whom released books on the topic in 2023. His conclusion was that due to the current understanding of brain decision-making processes and the lack of accurate behavioral forecasting models, it is more practical to assume the presence of free will to some extent.
Despite the brain’s intricate self-control system, the reasons behind choices may not always be clear. While rejecting attempts to manage actions and decisions may seem irrational, it’s essential to acknowledge that our freedom is more limited than perceived – as of February 7, 2024.
Of particular interest is Lewis’ recognition, as a Darwinist, of consciousness as a physical phenomenon. He views evolution as a means to explain complex aspects of life and consciousness, as outlined in his book “Finding Purpose in a Godless World” (Prometheus, 2018).
The debate around freedom of will intensifies when considering the argument posed by physicists like Sabina Hossenfelder and Sean Carroll, claiming that if physics governs everything, free will cannot exist. Although quantum physics introduces uncertainty, it ultimately reinforces our inherent subordination to physical laws.
On the flip side, evidence supporting free will emerges. Neurobiologist Christie L. S. Cooper highlights brain processes in his book