Towards a scientific concept of free will as a biological trait: spontaneous actions and decision-making in invertebrates
2010
Free Will as a Biological Trait
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Brembs Björn
Primary Institution: Freie Universität Berlin, Institute for Biology – Neurobiology
Hypothesis
Is free will a biological trait rather than a metaphysical concept?
Conclusion
The study suggests that free will can be understood as a biological property that allows for spontaneous actions and decision-making in invertebrates.
Supporting Evidence
- Neurobiology has accumulated evidence that free will is a biological property.
- Animals can choose among different behavioral options even in identical environments.
- Behavioral variability is an adaptive trait that enhances survival.
Takeaway
This study says that animals, even tiny ones like flies, can make choices and act freely, not just react to things around them.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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