The Illusion of Free Will and Self

We encourage you to watch the video before the meetup (hit the link) --> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ig9MOv54cg (10 min)

Annaka Harris argues that our sense of self and free will are illusions.

She explains that the brain creates the feeling of being a solid, unchanging “self,” but in reality, we are ever-changing processes shaped by cause and effect.

Neuroscience shows that decisions happen in the brain before we’re aware of them, challenging the idea of free choice.

While this may seem unsettling, she suggests it can be freeing—helping us let go of self-judgment and be more compassionate in our relationships.

• The Illusion of Self – The speaker suggests that our sense of being a solid, unchanging self moving through time is an illusion. How does that idea sit with you? Does it challenge how you see yourself and your life experiences?
• Free Will vs. Cause and Effect – If all of our decisions are just the result of cause and effect, what does that mean for how we think about choice, responsibility, and personal achievement?
• Blame and Accountability – If we understood people as processes of nature rather than fixed selves, how would that affect how we respond to things like conflict, forgiveness, or even justice?
• Letting Go of Control – The idea that we don’t actually control our emotions or thoughts can be unsettling, but the speaker suggests it can also be freeing. Have you ever had a moment where accepting things as they are brought relief?

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