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[[Image:Free_will_2.jpg|right|frame|fr. Journal of Consciousness Studies, v. 12, no. 1]]

[[Image:Free_will_2.jpg|right|frame|<center>Consciousness Studies, vol. 12, no. 1</center>]]

The question of '''free will''' is whether, and in what sense, [[rational agent]]s exercise control over their actions and decisions. Addressing this question requires understanding the relationship between freedom and [[Causality|cause]], and determining whether the laws of nature are causally deterministic.  The various [[Philosophy|philosophical]] positions taken differ on whether all events are determined or not—''[[determinism]]'' versus ''[[indeterminism]]''—and also on whether freedom can coexist with determinism or not—''[[compatibilism]]'' versus ''[[incompatibilism]]''. So, for instance, ''hard determinists'' argue that the universe is deterministic, and that this makes free will impossible.

The question of '''free will''' is whether, and in what sense, [[rational agent]]s exercise control over their actions and decisions. Addressing this question requires understanding the relationship between freedom and [[Causality|cause]], and determining whether the laws of nature are causally deterministic.  The various [[Philosophy|philosophical]] positions taken differ on whether all events are determined or not—''[[determinism]]'' versus ''[[indeterminism]]''—and also on whether freedom can coexist with determinism or not—''[[compatibilism]]'' versus ''[[incompatibilism]]''. So, for instance, ''hard determinists'' argue that the universe is deterministic, and that this makes free will impossible.