The Pros And Cons Of Free Will

Many modern day scientists argue that humans construct the concept of free will rather than free will actually existing. The dialogue on this matter will likely continue for more years. While these scientists devote time attempting to prove their theories on the issue, other scientists research the effect on people when they believe their decisions are pre-determined for them. These studies prove that, regardless of the validity of the idea, people who call free will an illusion have lower moral standards than those with a belief in free will. Over the past decade, scientists have conducted research on the effects of a belief in determinism, a belief that one acts with predetermined outcomes, on behavior and values of people. In two 2008 studies,

People influenced to accept a determinist viewpoint over a free will viewpoint cheated more often than both the control groups and pro-free will groups (Vohs 50, 52). The two studies tested both inactive and active cheating by permitting participants to see answers prior to them answering the questions if they did nothing or to reward themselves with money for their score on the test regardless of whether or not they deserved the amount they took (Vohs 50, 52). In both, those who read a deterministic passage versus a neutral or free will passage took advantage of others more when given the opportunity (Vohs 50, 52). Additional research demonstrated that people influenced by deterministic beliefs felt less or no guilt for their actions when reflecting on past personal events or learning of a death their actions indirectly caused, and noted that they would not change their actions (Stillman 954, 958). In other words, the determinism group exhibited less learning from their mistakes than the control group which claimed they would act differently in the future (Stillman 954, 958). Rigoni and Brass conducted a study looking at

People, when believing they have a choice in their actions, not only act with morality in mind, but also tend to feel content with their lives, while those who believe the opposite are inclined to act in a contrary manner. Something as simple as exposure to fifteen deterministic statements, as done in Vohs’ research, affected the behavior of the people (Vohs 51-52). Society as a whole embracing such ideas could see these changes on an exponential level. Another study concluded that believing in free will correlates with higher belief in meaning in life, and happiness with one’s life, along with greater standards of morality, compared to those who believe they have little to no choice in their actions (Bergner 598). Most people desire a society, and a life for that matter, with happiness and ethics as opposed to a depressed and immoral society, so instituting a widespread belief in determinism reduces progress to this