Perception of predeterminism: Difference between revisions

'''Feelings of predeterminism''' can be described as a suppression of the feeling that our internal narrative possesses "free will". This sudden change creates the perspective that all events, including human actions, are established or decided in advance by prior causes. It is often interpreted by those who undergo it as if it has revealed the concepts of free will and choice as entirely illusory.  

This is an effect which can be spontaneously triggered and felt through a distinct change in thought processes. In terms of how it feels, this revelation is not a result of cognitive insight leading one onto a realization but instead occurs through a forced and sudden change in perspective. This creates the undeniable sensation that one's personal choices, physical actions, current situational perspective, and the very subject matter of their thought stream has always been completely predetermined by prior causes and are therefore outside of conscious control. Instead of feeling as if they are dictated by free will, one's thoughts and decision-making processes become suddenly felt as a vast and complex set of internally stored, instantly decided, pre-programmed, and completely autonomous chemical and mechanistic responses to perceived sensory input.

Once the offset of the experience begins to take its toll, the subject will return to feelings of freedom and independence. Despite this, however, they will usually retain information and realizations regarding what is often interpreted as a profound insight into the illusory nature of free will.