Free Will by Thomas Nagel

According to Thomas Nagel

Thomas Nagel argues that there is no such thing as free will, and everything was decided before it happened. As a result, he tries to explain why there is no accountability for actions because we have no control over them. If we agreed with him completely, people would do whatever they wanted and blame it on circumstances beyond their control. One of his points of view is that, while everything was predestined, there is a cause in us that is responsible for the predetermination of any activity. Though he disagrees, it makes more sense to not leave our actions to nature (Nagel). If this was untrue, then why do some people make different choices compared to others? Why do we feel guilty after doing something wrong especially to others?

To begin with, Thorndike Malcolm’s defining of human beings

Thorndike Malcolm argues that the main difference between human beings and animals is that humans are conscious beings. It, therefore, explains why humans are capable of reason while animals are not. Furthermore, humans can make sense of different contexts while animals cannot. With this in mind, how is it possible that our actions are entirely controlled by nature? Where do we leave reason during our actions? (Thorndike). He still insists that reason and free will are present in decision making.

According to Nagel

According to Nagel, our actions depend on some previous circumstances that influence the choices we make. He insists that there are factors that are beyond our control that are responsible for these actions. He also claims that the choices we make could not have been different unless the previous circumstances were altered. In that case, then, it is unfair to hold people responsible for these actions since they have no control. He also insists that making predictions after learning some information only alters preceding circumstances thereby affecting the choices. According to him, everything is controlled by nature. Agreeing with him then leaves to question the concept of conscious (Nagel).

In the contradicting view, Nagel states that there is cause for our actions

Nagel states that if he agreed with this view, it would then imply that our actions are not our own but were also predetermined. The view, however, can be interpreted to mean that the human conscious is responsible for the action. Different humans reason differently, meaning that our conscious allows us to make choices. According to Benjamin Libet, free will is a result of electric charges of the human brain. He also explains that the same charges are also responsible for the guilt and responsibility. He insists that the brain does this unconsciously without our knowledge. It is the brain that activates the muscle responsible for carrying out the action but also free will is present just before the action. Though his tests proved that the window of free will is only 150msec, he insists that it is enough time for free will to act. Arguably, in his experiment, some of the members experienced an urge to do something and were also able to suppress or act towards it. It, therefore, implies that free will can alter our actions (Libet).

Accordingly, Libet then makes a relationship between free will, conscious, and actions

It, therefore, implies that since we have the ability to influence the actions, then we should also bear the responsibility. Actions without consequences would only make the world a very bad place. The presence of guilt after an action serves to explain our consequences. The reason we suffer guilt for our actions and not for others’ actions is that we have the ability to control our actions (Libet). Though Nagel does not agree with free will, maybe then the brain could be the predetermining cause of our actions. Then since we took part in the action, whether willingly or unwillingly, then we would have to bear the consequences of these actions. Also, the destiny that predetermines our actions should also predetermine responsibility for these actions.

In conclusion

Nagel argues that the concept of free will is complex to explain or understand. In agreement, it is hard to establish whether people make a choice or something else decides for them. Whichever way we decide to look at it, we should first consider the consequences of such a conclusion. Allowing people to think that they are not responsible for their actions gives them the freedom to do anything and get away with it. However, leaving people to believe in free will gives them a chance to reason out before taking any action (Libet). Having people bear the responsibility for their actions reduces the possibility of evil actions. Regardless of whether this is true or not, it serves to make the world a better place for the creatures in it. If we agree with Nagel about our actions being controlled by nature, we should also agree that nature should control us to take responsibility for those actions. Disagreeing with him and agreeing with Libet ensures that people are held responsible for the actions that they participate in, enhancing reason when engaging in the actions.

Works cited

Nagel, Thomas. Free Will. New York, Oxford University Press, 2009.

Libet, Benjamin. “Do We Have Free Will?”. Journal of Consciousness Studies, Volume 6, no. 8-9, 1999, pp. 47-57.

Thorndike, Malcolm. “Thomas Nagel Is Not Crazy | Prospect Magazine.” 2012, https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/arts-and-books/thomas-nagel-mind-and-cosmos-review-leiter-nation.