Philosophical Arena – Free Will – Do We Control Our Actions, or Is Everything Predetermined?

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A STUDENT TO JOIN

THE EVENT WILL BE IN DANISH

Throughout the autumn, Studenterhuset will host a series of talks and discussion evenings under the name Philosophical Arena. Each event will explore philosophical, existential, and societal themes. The goal is not to win debates, but to exchange ideas and learn from one another. The evenings are curated by Martin Romulo from Applied Philosophy (AAU).

Philosophical Arena is a space for free thinking. The word philosophy literally means “love of knowledge.” And no matter what kind of knowledge it may be, knowing more can never be a bad thing. We, as human beings, learn from one another—through both progress and struggle. With Philosophical Arena, we want to show that the best way to grow is through open and honest dialogue, and that we can always become wiser together.

Free Will – Do We Control Our Actions, or Is Everything Predetermined?

In our fourth edition of Philosophical Arena, we’ll delve deeper into a profoundly existential question that has occupied humanity since we began to philosophize: the question of free will. If our choices are shaped by biology, society, upbringing, and chains of cause and effect, can we truly say that we act freely—or is free will simply a necessary illusion that helps us make sense of our existence?

According to philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, humans are condemned to be free. We are condemned to take responsibility for everything we do. On the other hand, one might ask whether we really are free. Is there any meaning to be found if everything is predetermined?

These are the questions we will explore in this edition of Philosophical Arena, examining whether we are free, bound by fate, or somewhere in between.