The will comes later, from the 18th to the early 21st century.

The will comes later, from the 18th to the early 21st century.

Free will has long been considered the central force driving human decisions and actions, but findings in psychology and cognitive science that associations and physical reactions precede decision making challenge this view. Although people feel they are thinking and making choices on their own, in reality they are often unconsciously oriented by words, experiences, and physical states. As the priming effect and embodied cognition indicate, reaction rises before consciousness, and the will may only play a role in tracking the results. This composition also overlaps with the 18th century philosopher David Hume's idea that the ego is merely a series of perceptions and emotions. Furthermore, modern brain science shows that brain activity begins before decision-making, reinforcing the possibility that will is an explanatory device rather than a cause of behavior. The viewpoint that sees free will as an illusion does not deny human responsibility, but rather promotes a realistic u
nderstanding of human beings.