Are You Really In Control? Free Will vs Science

The video, titled "Everything in Science Suggests Free Will Doesn't Exist," is presented by Dr. Ben Miles and was published on November 13, 2023. The central theme of the video is an exploration of the concept of free will and whether it truly exists, approached from a scientific perspective. Dr. Miles concludes, based on scientific evidence, that free will does not exist. At the beginning of the video, Dr. Miles initiates the discussion by examining the laws of physics and their implications for the concept of free will. He delves into two main aspects: determinism and indeterminism. Determinism is based on the idea that if all initial conditions and governing laws of the universe are known, the future can be predicted with accuracy. On the other hand, indeterminism, observed in quantum mechanics, suggests that at the subatomic level, particles do not have definite states until observed, existing in multiple states simultaneously. Dr. Miles also explores whether free will could be considered an emergent phenomenon, arising from higher-order properties like life or consciousness. He refers to research indicating that human decisions are prepared in the brain before individuals become conscious of them. For instance, in one study, scientists were able to predict participants' decisions several seconds before the participants were aware of making them. Ultimately, Dr. Miles concludes that free will, as an independent concept, does not exist. Our decisions and choices are influenced by the laws of the universe and the structure of our brains. He emphasizes that this realization should not be disheartening but should help us gain a better understanding of our place in the universe.