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 SUMMARY
Sam Harris challenges the common belief in free will
our actions are determined by a combination of biological, environmental, and
cultural factors beyond our control.
the idea of free will is an illusion, as everything we do is predetermined by prior
causes.
studies in neuroscience and psychology highlighting the role of the unconscious
mind in shaping our behaviour.

3 approaches to free will: determinism, libertarianism, and compatibilism and

negated the views of compatibilists.
every decision we make involves internal conflict, we do not have free will
concept of causality and the influence of environmental and cultural factors on our
actions.
voluntary decisions are predetermined by prior causes and that our conscious
minds play a limited role in decision-making.
 SUMMARY
self generation and quantum mechanics
The author dismisses the concept of free will while preserving the distinction
between premeditated, voluntary action and mere accident.
concept of causality and the influence of environmental and cultural factors
on our actions.
voluntary decisions are predetermined
by prior causes and that our conscious
minds play a limited role in decision-making.
The process of conscious deliberation, while different from unconscious
reflex, offers no foundation for freedom of will
Lastly Harris puts this together to say that even if we do not have free will it
should not be a cause to do bad but instead to lead more intelligent and good
lives.
 IDENTIFICATION
MAIN ARGUMENT
reading and discussing main article
referring to "Free Will" by Sam Smith
figuring out role of last chapter
connecting to themes as a whole
repetition of a similar theme
evidences and examples
key terms and phrases
using AI to confirm
MAIN/SUPPORTING PREMISES
chapter by chapter discussion
back & forth deliberation
(sub)conclusion identified first
structure, content
starting/ending paragraphs
AI aid
 MAIN CONCLUSION

Free will does not exist

 Analysis: Main Argument

This is a deductive argument since it follows from strict logical necessity test.
Moreover, it is a valid argument because if we assume that the premises are true, the
conclusion must also be true as well. The premises (24,25) are linked together and

along with individual premises 6, 9, 38 and 53 offer support to the conclusion(54)

M
A 24- There is no freedom in
9-The unconscious operations being perfectly satisfied with
I 6- The fact that someone else
could report what you were
of a soul would grant you no your thoughts, intentions, and
more freedom than the subsequent actions when they
N about to think and do would
expose this feeling for what it is:
unconscious physiology of your are the product of prior events
brain does. that you had absolutely no

an illusion
hand in creating

P
R
E
M 25-Free will exists if 38-Self-generated events do not
53-This process of conscious
deliberation offers no

I compatibilism is right prove free will foundation for freedom of

will.

S
E
S
MAIN DIAGRAM
 Main Premise 1
The fact that someone else could report what you
were about to think and do would expose this
feeling for what it is: an illusion
Argument 2

deductive
strict necessity test
invalid
Main Premise 2
The unconscious operations of a soul would
grant you no more
freedom than the
unconscious physiology of your brain does.
Argument 3

deductive
strict necessity test
valid
linked
 Main Premise 3
Compatibilists’ claim is deliberately obtuse
 Argument 8
21. there is no freedom when one of these mutually conflicting desire triumphs over its rival
22.Your claim that you're responsible for everything that goes inside you bears absolutely no relationship to the
feelings of agency and moral responsibility that have made the idea of free will an enduring problem for
philosophy.
23.Compatibilism solve the problem of “free will” by ignoring it. (From 21, 22)
18. the “free will” that compatibilists defend is not the free will that most people feel they have. (From 11-13,17)
20. Compatibilism amounts to the assertion that you are only free if you are fond of your conditions. (from
argument 4)
so, 24. Compatibilists’ claim is deliberately obtuse(from 18,20,23)

21 22

deductive
23 strict necessity test
valid
18 20

24
 Main Premise 4
Compatibilism is the only respectable way to
endorse free will
 Argument 9

25. Free will exists if compatibilism is right

24. Compatibilism is not right
So, 26. Free will does not exist

24 25

deductive
26
strict necessity test
valid
linked
follows Modes Tollens
Main Premise 5
Self-generated events do not prove free will

 Argument 11

34. Quantum effects are unlikely to be biologically salient whether your brain is a quantum computer or not.
Therefore, (35) quantum indeterminacy does nothing to make the concept of free will scientifically intelligible.
(From 34)
36. Therefore, (36) The indeterminacy specific to quantum mechanics offers no foothold for free will (From 35)
37. Law of cause and effect is subject to this indeterminacy
33. “Self-generated” in the biological sense means only that certain events originate in the brain. (from 29, 32- 34
refer to argument 8)
So. 38 Self-generated events do not prove free will (33-36-37)

35

deductive
strict necessity test 37 36 33
valid
linked & convergent

38
Main Premise 6
This process of conscious deliberation offers
no foundation for freedom of will
 Argument 13
47 48 49
45. you cannot know why you were finally able to adhere to this discipline when all your previous attempts
failed
46.a person’s “choices” merely appear in his mind as though sprung from the void.
So, 47. emergence of choices, efforts, and intentions is a fundamentally mysterious process.
48.You have not built your mind.
49. in moments in which you seem to build it the only tools at your disposal are those that you have inherited
from moments past. 51
50.you, as a conscious agent, are only part of your mind, living at the mercy of other parts
51. So, You are not in control of your mind (47-48, 49)
So, 52. actual explanation for our behavior is hidden from us
So, 53. This process of conscious deliberation offers no foundation for freedom of will. (39-44-52)
So, free will does not exist

39 44 52

deductive
strict necessity test 53
valid
linked & convergent

54
 Fallacy: False Dilemma

The fallacy of false dilemma, which is a fallacy of Insufficient Evidence occurs when one
uses a premise that unjustifiably reduces the number of alternatives to be considered.
Haris commits a False Dilemma fallacy when he states that the only respectable refute to

his argument is compatibilism. Here he overlooks other philosophies in favour of free will
such as existentialism and libertarianism

 CONCLUSION

SAM HARRIS efforts

use of logic
our experience
Q&A