Vom freien willen zur selbstdetermination. Kognitive und volitionale mechanismen der intentionalen handlungssteuerung

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

The concept of freedom of the will is deeply embedded in folk psychological intuitions, in particular, the idea that, even under identical conditions, one could have acted and decided otherwise; the idea that a conscious self (or inner control center) is the originator of voluntary actions; and the idea that conscious intentions are immediate triggering causes of willed actions. The destructive aim of this article is to show, that freedom of the will as expressed in these intuitions does not and can not exist. The constructive aim is to develop an alternative conceptualization of freedom of the will, according to which willed action is not undetermined, but determined in special ways (by anticipations of action effects and future needs). This interpretation of freedom of the will in terms of self-determination fits with weakened versions of our folk-psychological intuitions and is compatible with a naturalistic world view and the assumption of causal determinism.

Translated title of the contribution
From free will to self-determination. Cognitive and volitional mechanisms of intentional action control

Details

Original languageGerman
Pages (from-to)186-197
Number of pages12
JournalPsychologische Rundschau
Volume55
Issue number4
Publication statusPublished - 2004
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • Determinism, Free will, Intentional action, Self-control, Volition