"Radical free will" refers to a philosophical concept that challenges traditional notions of free will. It suggests that individuals possess an absolute, unrestricted, and unconstrained ability to make choices and decisions independently of any external factors, including deterministic processes and causal influences.
In contrast to the more commonly discussed "compatibilist" or "soft" free will, which allows for the coexistence of free will with determinism or causal influences, radical free will argues for a much stronger form of free will. It proposes that human beings have the power to make choices entirely free from any deterministic constraints, even from factors such as genetics, environment, past experiences, and societal influences.
However, it's important to note that the concept of radical free will is highly debated and often criticized for its apparent incompatibility with scientific understandings of causality and determinism. Many scientists and philosophers argue that while human decision-making can be complex and influenced by various factors, it is still subject to physical laws and causal relationships that govern the universe.
In recent years, advances in neuroscience and cognitive psychology have shed more light on the complexities of decision-making, suggesting that the human brain is shaped by both biological and environmental factors. These findings have led some to question the plausibility of radical free will.
Overall, the debate surrounding free will, whether radical or compatibilist, remains a fundamental and ongoing topic in philosophy and continues to provoke thought-provoking discussions about the nature of human agency and responsibility.