Customer Reviews

Are We Free? Psychology and Free Will

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I was thinking recently about the relative shortage of attention in Psychology that's given to freedom and free will (it happens), and decided to explore it more fully (at least I think I decided to explore it). I was delighted to find out about this new book, and wasn't disappointed upon reading it. The 18 contributions in the book represent an intriguing and readable summary of philosophical, evolutionary, genetic, biological, psychological (behavioral), sociological, and anthropological issues with respect to free will. It's apparent (and suggested throughout the book) that many of the debates (which have been going on for a LONG time) about the existence of free will stem from definitional differences, as well as from a tendency to see things in black/white and/or either/or, rather than in shades of gray. As just one example, with respect to violence/aggression and determinism, it is well-established that precursors may include evolution (survival of the fittest), genetics, biology (e.g., testosterone and brain tumors), prenatal experiences, reinforcement and modeling history, parenting, peer influences (e.g., gang membership), automaticity (mindlessness rather than mindfulness), group and cultural influences ( there are peaceful societies where violence and aggression are virtually unheard of). We appear to be pretty determined. On the other hand, studies of intrinsic motivation, achievement motivation, self-efficacy, perceived choice, incremental self-theory, and internal locus of control suggest at least some degree of free will. Perhaps in a sense the determinants of behavior define starting points or limits of potentialities, but conscious choice (or free will) in a specific situation and culture influences ultimate behaviors. Cognition at least facilitates mindfulness. Science embraces order and predictability (AKA determinism), but abhors unpredictability (AKA free will). Several argue that what is really important is whether I think I have free will (which is common --- "magical thinking"?), rather than whether I really do. Personally, I was probably the most comfortable with the chapter by Miller & Atencio (2008) in which they argue "free will is a proportion of variance" (shades of gray), that human behavior is indeed a function of biological heritage and past environment, but also of the uniquely human characteristic of willful self-determination and volition (the "compatibilism approach" vs. "hard-determinism" or "libertarianism"). They emphasize as well that the determinants of behavior and free will interact with each other (it's not simply an additive process). There are also several discussions in the book of the dangers of free will; for example, if I am violent due to free choice, then I am morally responsible, and deserve to be punished ("he got what he deserved in a just world"); if I am violent due to external determinants, than I am not morally responsible, and prison should involve remediation and new reinforcement contingencies. Obviously deterrence and retribution also figure in here somewhere. This book doesn't resolve the issue of free will vs. determinism, but it certainly sheds some light on it.

This book should be able to answer most if not all the questions you want to ask about the nature of "free will". There are 18 chapters written by many authors - most of them are professors of psychology.

The concept of compactabilism is very well explained - i.e. "free will" (the ability to choose how to intend and/or act) is compactible with determinism. Even though our thinking, intentions, and actions may be "determined" by external stimuli and internal mental states, as long as we are not "coerced" to do something, we are considered to be and are indeed deemed "free".

Lots of data and findings are presented to show that whilst our behaviors can easily be influenced by the external enviorment, and often subconscioulsy, we retain a significant degree of "self control" - "free won't". This ability to "resist temptation" forms part of the concept of being "free", even if determinism is true.

The book also shows studies demonstrating that whether we believe in the concept of "free will" or not may influence our own behaviors and outlook of life.

It is impossible for me to summarize fully the whole book, which is well over 300 rather dense pages. All I can say is that if you, like me, are interested in the "free will" debate, then this book is really for you. It's brilliant and all encompassing. One final comment - do not expect a lot on libertarianism in this book: to a lay person, either it is incoherent or too sophisticated to farthom its intricacies.

Five stars.