We overestimate the amount of direct free will we have (directly changing our thoughts by a split second decision) and we underestimate the amount of indirect free will we have (changing our thoughts by deciding to expose ourselves to new experiences).
Q: Isn’t the latter a decision too?
A: Yes, but because it’s indirect, it’s more likely to be acted upon.
Just like a long-time addict might not be able to quit his addiction directly, but he might make the decision to stop indirectly eg joining a support group.
A: Yes, but because it’s indirect, it’s more likely to be acted upon.
Just like a long-time addict might not be able to quit his addiction directly, but he might make the decision to stop indirectly eg joining a support group.
There is probably a threshold of “emotional effort” below which we have free will and above which don’t.
If we struggle acting on a decision, it’s probably above the threshold. We should then make a new smaller one, below the threshold.
If we struggle acting on a decision, it’s probably above the threshold. We should then make a new smaller one, below the threshold.
