In a universe governed by cause and effect, human actions are seen as inevitable results of prior events, challenging the notion of free will. If the universe were acausal, actions would be random, lacking control, similar to a dice roll. While Emergent Holism suggests that high-level logical patterns could guide actions, it still falls under causality or acausality. Thinkers like Newton and Einstein defined free will as the ability to act differently under identical circumstances, a concept they deemed impossible. Accepting the absence of free will could foster compassion, reduce judgmental attitudes, and encourage a public health approach to social issues, ultimately enhancing societal well-being. Understanding our actions as part of causal chains can lead to a framework of consequential responsibility, promoting improvement without moral blame. This matters because it suggests a shift in perspective that could lead to a more compassionate and less judgmental society.
