Whether free will actually exists is an unsolved mystery, one has left many people including philosophers and scientists questioning whether people actually have it.

Free will is the concept that people have the ability to make genuine choices and act upon them. One of the main reasons humans do have free will is because of the concepts of morality and responsibilities. These factors are what pushes people to make meaningful decisions. Morality can help people distinguish whether something is immoral, meaning that it’s violating the principles of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ and going against societal or personal ethical standards. Being able to decipher whether something is immoral helps you make thoughtful decisions.

“The concept of there being a ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ gives you many different pathways to freely choose from,” said junior Savannah Spencer.

Responsibilities play an important role in free will, especially when taking responsibility for something means to take the initiative and acknowledge your own actions, decisions and the outcomes of them. Whenever humans do something that’s seen as wrong or a mistake it’s natural for them to feel guilty or regretful. Taking responsibility is the mind’s way of acknowledging that a different path was available, and it leaves room for correction and self improvement.

“The fact that people can feel that they could have done something better in a certain situation leads to correction and makes us want to improve on the way we are,” said junior Paisley Burton.

On the other hand, many people suggest that free will does not actually exist. It has been said that free will is more of an illusion than reality.

Regardless of who you are, the ability to make choices and take responsibility for your actions in your everyday life means that freedom does exist and everyone can freely make their own decisions and choices.