Free will versus determinism. Do humans have free will?

Academic paper from 2022 in the field of Philosophy - Theoretical (Epistemology, Science, Logic, Language), grade: 1.6, University of Kassel, language: German. This philosophical essay deals with anthropology and the research question of the extent to which humans possess free will. The question of free will is one of the central themes of philosophical anthropology, which has been explored since antiquity. It is considered one of the essential characteristics of a person, allowing them to actively decide on their actions. In everyday life, individuals are constantly confronted with situations where they must make a choice between various options for action. These can range from more unconscious decisions with minor consequences, such as choosing a podcast to listen to while falling asleep, to larger decisions that are perceived as more conscious. These are situations that involve a longer reflection process, in which the negative and positive consequences of actions are weighed.