Cable Forum - View Single Post - Is True Free Will Possible,or Are We Always Influenced by External Factors?

RichardCoulter · 08-06-2025, 12:37

A very interesting question.

We have much less free will than we think we do, not only because of the things that you mention, but even our own body sometimes manipulates us or overrides our conscious decisions.

You might be enjoying a film, but your body decides it's time to go to the toilet, whether you feel like using it or not.

If you decide to stop breathing this only works for a short time and then your body will take over and try to manipulate you to start again with unpleasant physical & mental feelings. If this doesn't work, your lungs start to involuntary breath (I assume it's the brain ordering the diaphragm to start, whether you want it to or not).

08-06-2025, 12:37	#2
RichardCoulter cf.mega poster Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 10,719	Re: Is True Free Will Possible,or Are We Always Influenced by External Factors? A very interesting question. We have much less free will than we think we do, not only because of the things that you mention, but even our own body sometimes manipulates us or overrides our conscious decisions. You might be enjoying a film, but your body decides it's time to go to the toilet, whether you feel like using it or not. If you decide to stop breathing this only works for a short time and then your body will take over and try to manipulate you to start again with unpleasant physical & mental feelings. If this doesn't work, your lungs start to involuntary breath (I assume it's the brain ordering the diaphragm to start, whether you want it to or not).