2026年4月托福机经套卷(第2套) - Read an Academic Passage Q3

Free Will and Determinism The debate over free will asks whether our decisions come from independent thought or are shaped by factors beyond our control. Although we may feel like we choose freely, influences such as genetics, upbringing, and unconscious habits suggest our freedom may be limited. The key question is whether these influences simply guide our choices or actually determine them. If they determine them, then our sense of control may be more of a story we tell ourselves after the fact than something that drives our actions. Some philosophers maintain that even within a causally determined world, we can still act freely—so long as our choices reflect our own reasoning and desires. Yet this view raises questions about whether those desires are truly ours or merely the result of prior conditions. Others push further, suggesting that even our capacity to reflect on our actions is shaped by forces beyond our control, leaving little room for genuine autonomy. These tensions are not just theoretical; they shape how we think about responsibility in law, education, and relationships. If the assumption that someone might have acted differently begins to unravel, then our notions of accountability may need to be reimagined.