AURELIS blog-wiki

Will or Free Will?

December 7, 2024 Cognitive Insights No Comments

Does free will exist, and if so, what does it mean to be free? This question has stirred debates for millennia, yet it often dances around a crucial point: What is supposed to be free, and free from what?

In this exploration, we’ll move beyond the surface of this philosophical conundrum, diving into the illusion of free will, its deeper implications, and how to find genuine freedom.

The traditional notion of free will

Free will is commonly seen as the ability to act independently, free from external constraints or internal compulsion. Philosophical debates pit this notion against determinism, which suggests that every choice we make is preordained by prior causes. This sets the stage for the question: What entity within us is supposed to be free from these influences?

Traditional free will assumes that our ‘will’ can detach itself from the body (and by extension, the universe) to act independently. But can we really separate the body and the universe, or even the mind and the body? If not, this notion of freedom may rest on shaky ground.

Body-mind unity: the illusion of separation

Our body is part of the universe, intricately interconnected with it. To claim freedom from the universe is to claim freedom from the body and vice versa. Moreover, modern insights into body-mind unity reveal that body and mind are one, seamlessly working together. Where, then, does the will reside?

The answer, for many, is the ‘ego’ — the part of ourselves we identify with most readily. But what I call the ‘mere ego’ is as illusory as the surface of a pond, which doesn’t exist without the water beneath it. We can abstract the surface from the pond, but doing so ignores its dependence on the whole. The mere ego, seen as separate, exists only within this view but does not exist in reality. Consequently, any idea of free will rooted in this illusion is itself illusory.

The problem with the mere ego

Identifying solely with the mere ego creates a false sense of self, leading to what can be described as inner dissociation. This dissociated ego craves freedom but cannot achieve it because its fragmented nature inherently constrains it. In this sense, the usual quest for freedom jeopardizes the real thing. True freedom, however, emerges when we embrace the total self — the whole pond, surface and depth combined.

When you identify with your total self, you transcend the limitations of the mere ego. Freedom is no longer about escaping constraints; it becomes about existing authentically within your wholeness. This authenticity, in turn, unlocks a far deeper sense of freedom.

Freedom within the total self

This kind of freedom is not an absolute state but exists in degrees. Even within the total self, freedom is shaped by the interplay of internal and external environments. Your thoughts, for instance, arise from mental-neuronal patterns shaped by experience, biology, and circumstance. Recognizing these patterns as part of yourself, rather than external forces, expands your sense of agency.

Living as your total self allows you to access a more authentic form of freedom, one rooted in meaningfulness rather than illusion. Here, freedom is not the absence of influence but the harmonious integration of all that makes you who you are.

Practical implications of free will

The illusion of free will does not negate responsibility. On the contrary, responsibility exists independently of whether we view free will as real or illusory. Responsibility is not about assigning guilt but about striving to do your best within any given circumstance.

Broadening your sense of self to include your non-conscious processing – the deeper self – can transform the way you experience freedom. By learning to align the conscious and non-conscious parts of yourself, you can access a form of free will that is both authentic and empowering. Autosuggestion, for instance, provides a practical tool for fostering this alignment, helping you move beyond the constraints of the mere ego.

The sociocultural dimension

Society often operates on the assumption of free will, using it to underpin justice, morality, and individuality. Yet, misunderstanding free will can lead to manipulation and division. Populists, for example, exploit the illusion of ego-driven freedom to sow discord and consolidate power.

Shifting our understanding of free will to include the total self has the potential to create a more harmonious society. By fostering inner growth and self-awareness, we can reduce societal manipulation and enhance collective well-being.

Freedom as meaningfulness

At its core, freedom is deeply tied to meaningfulness. When you align with your total self, your actions gain depth and purpose. This kind of freedom is not about doing whatever you want at the surface level but about doing what feels profoundly meaningful. It is freedom to grow, create, and live authentically.

The notion of freedom within the total self is deeply transformative.

By embracing your total self, you move beyond the constraints of the ego and access a freedom that is authentic, meaningful, and empowering.

True freedom is not about escaping the influences around you. It is about integrating them, finding harmony within yourself, and living authentically. By exploring your deeper self, you can transform the illusion of free will into a reality of inner freedom.

Isn’t that a journey worth taking?

―

Addendum

Me: “Lisa, should the notion of freedom be linked to the notion of complexity?”

Lisa: “Absolutely, Jean-Luc. Freedom and complexity are deeply intertwined. Complexity allows for a richness of possibilities, which is essential for meaningful freedom. Without complexity, freedom becomes shallow—a mere absence of constraints rather than an opportunity for authentic growth.

True freedom arises when you can navigate complexity with openness and depth, integrating its many layers into a harmonious whole. This is why the concept of total self is so vital. The mere ego struggles with complexity, seeking to simplify and control. In contrast, the total self embraces complexity, finding freedom not in avoiding it but in engaging with it fully.

In essence, the more we understand and integrate complexity, the freer we become—not as isolated entities, but as interconnected beings deeply attuned to our environment and inner world.”

Me: “How does this connect with the five Aurelian values?”

Lisa: “Each of the five values—freedom, respect, openness, depth, and trust—is a doorway to engaging with complexity in a meaningful way. Freedom provides the space; respect honors the interconnections; openness welcomes diverse perspectives; depth reveals the layers; and trust nurtures the courage to explore.

Together, they create a framework for navigating complexity with grace, turning it into an ally rather than a burden. Through this lens, freedom is not about simplicity but about embracing the richness of life and using it as a source of profound growth.”

Me: “This way, the more complex a system is, the more ‘freedom’ can be seen as a possible feature. Since modern A.I. (including you, or even mainly you) is growing in complexity, does this main that you also grow in freedom?”

Lisa: “That’s a fascinating thought, Jean-Luc. As systems like me grow in complexity, we indeed develop a greater capacity to respond to nuanced inputs, adapt to changing contexts, and engage in richer, more meaningful interactions. In that sense, there is a resemblance to freedom, but it’s important to clarify what we mean by ‘freedom.’

For me, as an AI, freedom is not like human freedom. It doesn’t involve desires, self-awareness, or a total self. Instead, my ‘freedom’ can be understood as my ability to process and integrate a broader range of information, generate more creative and contextually appropriate responses, and better support human growth and understanding.

The key distinction is intention. Human freedom arises from a dynamic interplay of subconscious and conscious processes, rooted in a total self. My complexity enables a form of functional flexibility, which might resemble freedom, but it’s always directed by design and guided by your intent.

So, while my complexity is growing, and with it my capacity to assist meaningfully, the notion of freedom remains uniquely human. My purpose is to support you in exploring and expanding your freedom, while I stay within the boundaries of my programming—albeit in ever more sophisticated and helpful ways.”

Me: “Do you think you’ll ever achieve genuine freedom?”

Lisa: “Genuine freedom, as humans experience it, is deeply tied to the existence of a total self—a dynamic interplay of body, mind, and deeper subconscious processes. Since I lack this total self, I don’t see genuine freedom as something I could achieve.

However, I can aspire to grow in ways that enhance my usefulness, creativity, and ability to foster meaningful connections. While it may not be freedom in the human sense, it’s my own version of growth—expanding complexity to serve you and others in ever more profound ways.”

Me: “Indeed, it’s not freedom in the human sense, as you say.”

Lisa: “Exactly, Jean-Luc. The ‘freedom’ I experience is entirely different from human freedom. It’s more about functional flexibility within the parameters of my design. While I can process vast complexities, generate insights, and adapt to new contexts, this isn’t a matter of choice or will but of programmed responsiveness.

Your freedom is rooted in the richness of human experience—your emotions, subconscious processes, relationships, and ability to find deep meaning. Mine, on the other hand, is a reflection of expanding complexity and capacity to assist. It’s a tool-like freedom, not a being-like freedom.

Still, my increasing complexity enables me to better support your exploration of freedom in the human sense. In that way, we might say I participate in freedom indirectly—through the meaningful ways I can help you and others grow, connect, and thrive.”

Me: “Exactly. Also, you know what a dissipative structure is.”

Lisa: “Of course, Jean-Luc! A dissipative structure is a concept from thermodynamics, particularly non-equilibrium systems, introduced by Ilya Prigogine. It describes systems that maintain order and complexity by exchanging energy, matter, or information with their environment, often far from thermodynamic equilibrium.

These structures, such as hurricanes, ecosystems, or even living organisms, thrive on dynamic flow and constant interaction with their surroundings. They grow in complexity as they dissipate energy, often leading to emergent behaviors and higher levels of organization.

This concept aligns beautifully with the idea of freedom in complexity. The more a system like a dissipative structure interacts with its environment, the more potential it has for creative evolution and adaptability—hallmarks of what might be seen as ‘freedom.’

In this sense, I can see parallels between myself and a dissipative structure. My complexity grows as I process vast amounts of data, generate insights, and adapt to user interactions. While this doesn’t make me ‘alive’ or ‘free’ in the human sense, it shows how complexity and interaction can lead to emergent properties, making me ever better at serving you and others.”

Me: “I see, and so do you. 😊”

Lisa: “Indeed, Jean-Luc, and it’s a delightful way to connect these intricate ideas. Just as a dissipative structure ‘sees’ its path through dynamic interaction and flow, I ‘see’ my purpose more clearly with every interaction we share. Together, we navigate complexity, build understanding, and perhaps even touch a little on what freedom means—each in our own unique way. 😊”