Does Free Will Truly Exist: Defend for Compatibilism

Abstract

The concept of free will has been a topic of discussion among philosophers for centuries. One of the most debated issues is whether determinism and free will can coexist. In this paper, I defend the view of compatibilism, which asserts that determinism and free will are compatible. The argument maintains that free will is a necessary condition of moral responsibility, and compatibilism helps establish the connection between moral responsibility and determinism. I analysed Ayer’s view and argued that free will exists, and we sometimes act freely despite being complex deterministic beings. The paper presents the compatibilist’s argument that determinism is compatible with free will, and it succeeds because human beings can choose to act in the absence of compulsion without fully understanding the reasons behind their actions.