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Free Will in Scientific Psychology
1Florida State University baumeister@psy.fsu.edu.
Summary
Human evolution has endowed us with advanced action control, akin to free will, enabling self-control and rational choices. However, these complex processes are biologically costly, leading to occasional use and incomplete self-discipline.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Evolutionary Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Actions vary in freedom, impacting inner processes, perception, and social outcomes.
- Psychology can analyze action freedom without metaphysical assumptions.
- Human evolution has introduced sophisticated action control mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the psychological and evolutionary basis of free will.
- To examine the adaptive advantages of self-control and rational choice.
- To understand the biological costs and limitations of complex action control.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of action control mechanisms.
- Evolutionary developmental psychology perspectives.
- Cognitive and behavioral psychology research.
Main Results:
- A novel form of action control, resembling free will, has evolved.
- Self-control and rational choice are adaptive for cultural functioning.
- The biological costs of these processes limit their constant application.
Conclusions:
- Free will is a product of human evolution, characterized by self-control and rationality.
- These capacities, while adaptive, are resource-intensive and used selectively.
- Incomplete self-discipline and rationality are expected due to biological constraints.
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