Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Free will refers to the ability of individuals to make choices and decisions independent of external influences or constraints. It suggests that we have control over our thoughts, actions, and behaviors.
Related terms
Agency: Agency refers to an individual's capacity for self-control, autonomy, and intentional action based on their own beliefs and values.
Volition: Volition relates to one's conscious choice or decision-making process when faced with various options.
Existentialism: An existentialist perspective emphasizes personal responsibility for creating meaning in life through freely chosen actions, asserting that individuals have ultimate control over their own destiny.