Are We Truly Thinking for Ourselves?
When was the last time you made a decision that was entirely your own? Something that was not influenced by external forces, or pre-existing conditions? The act of thinking independently, guided by one’s values, reasoning, and intentions is called free will. This fundamental aspect of human nature is what enables creativity, moral judgment, and the pursuit of personal growth.
But consider how often we defer to an algorithm to tell us what to watch, read, or eat. Even our career paths and relationships are increasingly mediated by platforms that use data to suggest what is “best” for us. When the algorithms know us better than we know ourselves, do we still have free will?
In the age of algorithms, the concept of free will is under siege. How do we know that what we think, believe, or even desire is truly original and independent? Every day, we live within the confines of carefully curated digital echo chambers, designed to optimize engagement and keep us glued to our screens. We are fed content that aligns with our existing beliefs stuck in an endless feedback loop where our worldview is continuously reinforced. When our thoughts are echoed back to us, unchallenged by diverse perspectives, we lose the ability to question, to doubt, and to grow. Our intellectual and emotional worlds shrink, and we become passive consumers of algorithmically curated realities. Over time, the boundaries between independent thought and externally influenced beliefs blur.
The danger lies in our willingness to readily give up our responsibility. It’s easier to trust the algorithm than to wrestle with uncertainty. But this convenience comes at a cost: we become disconnected from the process of critical thinking and self-discovery. We risk losing the ability to make decisions that are truly our own.
This passivity fostered by algorithms is perhaps the greatest threat of all. We have become spectators in our own lives, content to let technology tell us what to do and how to think. We accept algorithmic decisions without question because they are “efficient” or “accurate.” In doing so, we relinquish our power to actively shape our destinies.
This isn’t just an individual issue; it’s a societal one. A population that defers to algorithms is less likely to challenge the status quo, to innovate, or to resist injustices. Free will isn’t just a philosophical concept, it’s the foundation of a thriving, dynamic society.
Free will is not a given; it is a practice. And in this age of algorithms, it’s a practice we must fight to preserve. Let us remember that our humanity lies not in our ability to consume, but in our ability to choose freely, consciously, and courageously.
Sonam Pelden
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