Free Will Is the Ability to Envision Futures | Martin Seligman

*What if free will is less about “will” and more about the futures we can imagine?* Martin Seligman argues that freedom depends on envisioning alternative futures, focusing on possibilities, and ordering them through our preferences. 0:00 Agency Meets Consciousness 3:39 The Mental States Behind Agency 5:46 Free Will Connects Agency and Consciousness 8:13 Consciousness When We Get in Trouble 13:16 Voluntary Control of Focus 16:39 Free Will and Possible Futures 20:36 The Challenge of Determinism 24:46 Focus Makes Sense of Randomness 28:02 Statistical Reality and Deep Ontology 31:32 What the Human Mind Cannot Detect *Martin E.P. Seligman* is the Zellerbach Family Professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and Director of the Penn Positive Psychology Center. A leading figure in positive psychology, his research focuses on well-being, resilience, learned helplessness, optimism, and depression. *More from Martin E.P. Seligman on Closer To Truth:* * Closer To Truth: The Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFJr3pJl27pLLkP0kHQKL9nZh35UkgkR_ * Understanding Consciousness - Closer To Truth - Core Topic: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFJr3pJl27pJKWEUWv9X56y_ut3xwFDv1 * Closer To Truth contributors: https://closertotruth.com/contributor/martin-seligman/ *Subscribe to Closer To Truth:* https://www.youtube.com/@CloserToTruthTV *Join the Community:* * Membership (5,000+ videos): https://closertotruth.com/register/ * Audio Podcast: https://closertotruth.podbean.com * Support the Show: https://closertotruth.com/donate/ * Official Merchandise: https://www.bonfire.com/store/closertotruth/ *Follow Us:* * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CloserToTruthTV/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/closertotruth/ * X: https://twitter.com/CloserToTruth * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@closertotruthtv Closer To Truth, created and hosted by Robert Lawrence Kuhn, presents the world's greatest thinkers exploring humanity's deepest questions. Discover f