Overview
How does the concept of free will shape our understanding of moral responsibility, and to what extent are our choices truly our own? Throughout history, philosophers have debated whether human actions are determined by external forces such as fate, divine intervention, or societal influence. Thinkers like Immanuel Kant argue for autonomy and rationality, while determinists suggest that all actions are causally determined. If free will is an illusion, does that absolve individuals from ethical responsibility, or must we redefine accountability? How do different philosophical traditions—such as existentialism, compatibilism, or fatalism—address this issue, and what implications does this have for justice and ethics?