On the sun-baked plains of the African savannah, the acacia trees stand tall as a beacon of life amidst the arid landscape. Their leaves, a source of succulent sustenance, attract the long-necked giraffes, their towering frames casting long shadows as they graze. But the acacia trees are not passive participants in this ecosystem. They possess a remarkable defence mechanism. As a giraffe munches on one of the tree’s leaves, the tree releases toxins (tannin) that make the predator feel slightly nauseous, encouraging it to move on, sparing the leaves in the process.

But is this a conscious choice made by the acacia, exercising some form of free will? Or is it simply a pre-programmed response, a complex chemical reaction triggered by the physical act of being eaten? 

Now, consider the case of an individual battling weight issues. Genetics, a roll of the biological dice, predisposes them to be overweight. This, coupled with environmental factors like food choices and lifestyle, determines their current health state. When faced with the stark reality of a medical diagnosis, where the doctor lays out the dire consequences of inaction, they embark on a weight-loss journey. This might appear to be a free-willed decision, but a closer look reveals the intricate web of determinism at play. Their ability to afford healthcare, access to exercise facilities, and even the persuasive power of their trainer, all contributed to the outcome. So, while it feels like they made a conscious choice, isn't it simply a carefully orchestrated chain of events leaving little room for genuine free will? 

Think, think, think

Dr. Robert Sapolsky, a renowned primatologist, neuroendocrinologist, and author of Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst, argues that the illusion of free will is a convenient story we tell ourselves. Our decisions, he suggests, are ultimately the result of complex chains of cause and effect, shaped by genes, environment, and the intricate dance of neurochemicals in our brains.

Sapolsky’s views are echoes of thoughts from a different field — philosophy. Arthur Schopenhauer, a 19th-century German philosopher, argued that the feeling of free will is an illusion, and that all our actions are ultimately determined by forces beyond our control. He famously stated, "We can do what we will, but we cannot will what we will."

The free will debate is by no means a modern phenomenon. The ancient Indian text, Katha Upanishad, uses the powerful metaphor of a chariot to illustrate the idea of the ‘self’. According to the text, the Atman, our true self, is the rider, a passenger essentially, while the body is the chariot itself. The intellect acts as the charioteer, guiding the mind (the reins) which in turn controls the senses (the horses) that navigate the world of objects (the paths). This intricate network of interconnected elements, determines the course of our experience, leaving the notion of ego, and perhaps subsequently its free will, as merely an illusion.

Conscious of consciousness

While the acacia tree and the individual battling weight loss may both exhibit signs of consciousness in their responses to external stimuli, a crucial distinction lies in the realm of self-awareness. Humans, unlike the tree (as far as we know), possess the remarkable ability to reflect upon our own thoughts and motivations. This introspective capacity, often referred to as self-awareness, allows us to observe our internal landscape with a detached perspective.

Celebrated author of Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, Yuval Noah Harari believes that even if our free will is constrained by biological and environmental factors, we can cultivate a sense of agency through practices like meditation. By observing our thoughts and desires with greater clarity, we can begin to understand their underlying causes, making more informed choices within the framework of our determined reality. This enhanced self-awareness is not about achieving complete control over our inner world, but rather gaining the perspective needed to navigate the complexities of life with greater wisdom and compassion.

The liberating truth

So, is there no free will or some free will? Ashtavakra Gita, another profound text from the Advaita Vedanta school of thought, delivers a poignant message in this regard: 

"I am the doer - this is the delusion, the bite of the great black serpent." It reminds us that clinging to the idea of being the sole author of our actions is a form of suffering. 

Instead, the text urges us to embrace the liberating truth: "I am not the doer – drinking the nectar of this faith, be happy."

The question of free will is age-old. Possibly, the answer lies in awareness, acceptance, and appreciation of the journey, regardless of who or what is truly steering the chariot.

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