Freewill is a controversial concept. What is it? Does it even exist? While a libertarian freewill suggests every choice is the result of pure, conscious intent, determinism flips this on its head. Consciousness becomes a post hoc justification for one’s behavior, turning, “I think, and therefore I am,” into, “I am, and therefore I think.” As a chain of inevitable cause-and-effect, behavior is determined by the universe – its physics, chemistry, and biology. In a sense, life happens, and we’re all just along for the ride. The Novel Universe Model stands in opposition to either point-of-view, proposing that freewill is more than just the idea of having a choice, but the embodied cost of choice itself. Chocolate or vanilla? Does it matter? If it costs nothing, it’s the illusion of choice, not the effort of freewill.
Most, most often, believe they are making choices every day about everything, at least that’s how it feels. When we dig into the science, we find that biology and environment play outsized roles, and those determinists have a real point, however, not the whole picture. It all comes down to preference, and creating a new preference is a dance between biology, environment, and conscious intent. If a preference is useful, it sticks around, if not, it fades away. Long-held preferences are largely ingrained in our biology, physiology, and psychology, requiring little to no effort, what’s known as the “free energy principle” – following one’s well-established patterns is easy (less energy), whereas finding new ones or challenging old ones isn’t (more energy).
Preference is key to the Novel Universe Model. The inability to express preference is the Model’s definition of suffering – a car that won’t start, a friend that won’t forgive, a cough that won’t relent. In the NU Model, freewill is the effort required to intentionally suspend or completely alter preference. What is effort, but varying degrees of self-inflicted discomfort, ranging from irritation to agony? We might modify our preferences in large or small ways, but whatever the alteration, it always requires effort.
Freewill is not a switch, but a thermostat, ranging from a minor tweak to an outright change to one’s frame of reference. One might simply delay an action, say, light up long after that smoke break starts; or re-frame their entire approach, say, move on from that toxic “friendship.” Either way, those underlying preferences might only be altered with effort, as following in one’s grooves is easier than plowing new pathways.
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