Will (philosophy)

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Will, in philosophy, refers to the conscious mental act that produces physical results. It is one of the most difficult and hotly debated concepts in philosophy, especially when philosophy investigates questions about free will. To what extent and in what sense can we be said to choose which actions we will ourselves to perform? The problems involved in understanding action by an effort of will arise because we are both the observer and the observed. The only consciousness we can experience directly is our own, and questions arise over whether we can simultaneously will ourselves to perform an act and observe ourselves willing ourselves to perform that act. If this is not difficulty enough, there is the additional question of whether we can simultaneously observe what it is that we will ourselves to do and also be aware of the reasons why we will ourselves to do that and not something else. The deepest and most profound questions about human existence often revolve around questions of will. Arthur Schopenhauer, in his main work, The World as Will and Representation sees will as the underlying reality of all perceptions. Nietzsche, singles out for special attention the "will to power".

For the psychological study of will, see volition or unconscious mind.

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References

St. Augustine, On Free Choice of the Will, Hackett Pub Co (1993), ISBN 0872201880
Luther, Martin, The Bondage of the Will, Revell (1990) ISBN 0800753429
Nietzsche, Fredrich, The Will to Power, Vintage (1968) ISBN 0394704371
Norwood, Rick, The Evolution of the Will, Philosophy in Science, Vol 6
Schopenhauer, Arthur, The World as Will and Representation, Dover Publications (1966), ISBN 0486217612