What -- if it exists in the first place -- is the fundamental (i.e. ontological) nature of the will?
Is it....
(1) some physical thing?
(2) Or is it some metaphysical thing?
If the will is free, then doesn't that mean the will must be metaphysical in nature?
And it the will is determined, does not that mean the will is most likely physical in nature?
Comments? Questions?
Will exists because the human brain has two centers of consciousness. The inner self is the original center of the human and pre-human brain and is connected to the operating system of natural human instinct. The ego is much newer and appeared about the time of civilization; Adam. This secondary center or ego can make choices, in conjunction, or apart from the inner self.
As an experiment, to experience both centers and also demonstrate will, make plans in advance to have someone scare you when you are not ready. If they catch you off guard, the inner self will act with quick reflexes, to the sudden threat. This spontaneous reaction from the inner self can be funny, to the outsider. because the ego affected is not in control of this reflex reaction. It can make the ego look awkward and become embarrassing to the ego. The ego would prefer pretend to be in control, via will.
After being scared, to experience the inner self, have this experiment continue over many weeks, so the ego can learn how to control the spontaneous reaction of the inner self. This gaining of ego control would be an example of developing willpower. This is a subroutine, due to the secondary center, making choices that differ from the natural determinism of the inner self.
A more contemporary example of ego will power is connected to all the genders that have suddenly appeared. This is based on social conditioning for and by the ego; super ego of culture. The inner self does not make all these distinctions. Our ego sort of needs a social road map and social cataloging list to keep this game all straight; social protocol. PC sort of beats this into you via forced social reinforcement compliance, allowing will power in some so they can diverge from the inner self and natural instinct.
The ego secondary center evolved with civilization and the appearance of modern human languages about 10,000 year ago. It was metastable at first, but finally consolidated when written language appeared; Adam, about 6000 years ago. Written language allows reinforcement of a moment in time, which would natural change or atrophy, via the natural brain and inner self. The inner self naturally forward integrates the present data and experience into long term natural trends; firmware seeds, allowing one to obtain creative and spontaneous wisdom. Written language, by creating an external means to reinforce the past, even for generations, allows one to diverge from this natural forward integration. This allowed will power to appear.