Why you should try living without free will for two weeks
The article explores the philosophical concept of free will by suggesting readers live for two weeks as if it does not exist. It argues that shifting away from a narrative of personal blame can change how we interpret human behavior and social interactions.
Why it matters
Challenging the assumption of free will can influence how society approaches issues like addiction, debt, and personal failure.
You’re driving in heavy traffic when you hear the screech of tyres, followed by a thud. You glance to the lane beside you and see that a black sedan has just slammed into the back of a silver SUV.
At first, the explanation seems uncomplicated. Brakes constrain motion, but not enough to overcome the car’s momentum, and the collision causes damage. A leads to B. Cause and effect in its simplest form.
From the black sedan, music still playing, steps a young man in a tailored suit. You notice the car is a new BMW. He checks his phone and then surveys the damage to his vehicle. In the silver SUV, a woman in her early 40s turns immediately to the back seat to check on two children. You notice the family stickers on the rear window, and her hair coming loose as she leans inside the car.
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