I'm new to this site, and I actually made an account just so I could reply to this question. The free will versus determinism debate has raged on for millennia, and for good reason: humans like to think about the scope of action. Simply put, people like to know what their life means beyond what they themselves can observe. This is why determinism is so depressing: it dictates that everything anyone has ever done, is doing, or will do has been written since the beginning of time. That's also why determinism is endearing: there are those who prefer to know that their fate is predetermined; you don't have to worry about having a purpose or direction, and who doesn't like being part of a greater scheme? Personally, I believe that humans have free will. That's just my opinion, and it's not a fact. If you hear anyone talk about "proof" of free will (or determinism), do not believe them. If the science or methods to determine the workings of the universe existed, I think there would be more immediate consequences, and I doubt some random schmuck would even have access to that science. Even if scientists were to make a breakthrough today and settle the debate forever, I doubt they would release their findings for some time. Coming to grips with knowing something so unfalsifiable (AKA, that can't be disproven) as fact would probably be impossible to swallow. That's why the subject makes for good debate, and is a good discussion question. But the day humanity learns the answer, I think purpose will have gone out the window anyway.

I think the idea of a person is complicated. We're all able to introspect and look at ourselves at any time we so wish. So we must know our true selves, right? It seems to logically follow that you can know yourself -- all you need to do is think. However, this isn't true. People operate on different levels of consciousness and unconsciousness, and a lot of motivations can go into even simple actions. I personally believe that you can only really know a part of yourself: the part you let yourself see. That sounds sort of circular, but let me explain.
Imagine you have a deep unrealized fear of neglect since you were left alone and uncared for by your parents as a child. This could manifest as chronic loneliness, which might make you turn to drinking as a way to cope. Along this chain of events, I doubt most people would stop and think, "Hey, I'm probably going to ruin my life with alcoholism or liver cancer because of my parents. I should go to therapy."
This is the difference that makes those who survive, so to speak, and those who don't; being able to think about the small things in your life that built the "you" you know now is a crucial skill. It's a skill that I think I could improve on. I think we could all improve on it. I don't think people can entirely create themselves, and that recognizing what makes you yourself requires an analytical mind and an open mindset. While you can strive to move past your beginnings, the tendrils of those beginnings will stretch throughout the rest of your existence. Recognizing and striking down ties to the past, and openly embracing that past while facing the future, is the rather poetic way people can truly understand themselves as best as possible.

My Sharona -- The Knack

@cjko It is kind of ancient, haha! I think of it as upbeat, but it has some rock elements. It's just the light pop of the 80s. 80s music is like alcohol: it generally gets better with age!

I think the idea of a person is complicated. We're all able to introspect and look at ourselves at any time we so wish. So we must know our true selves, right? It seems to logically follow that you can know yourself -- all you need to do is think. However, this isn't true. People operate on different levels of consciousness and unconsciousness, and a lot of motivations can go into even simple actions. I personally believe that you can only really know a part of yourself: the part you let yourself see. That sounds sort of circular, but let me explain.
Imagine you have a deep unrealized fear of neglect since you were left alone and uncared for by your parents as a child. This could manifest as chronic loneliness, which might make you turn to drinking as a way to cope. Along this chain of events, I doubt most people would stop and think, "Hey, I'm probably going to ruin my life with alcoholism or liver cancer because of my parents. I should go to therapy."
This is the difference that makes those who survive, so to speak, and those who don't; being able to think about the small things in your life that built the "you" you know now is a crucial skill. It's a skill that I think I could improve on. I think we could all improve on it. I don't think people can entirely create themselves, and that recognizing what makes you yourself requires an analytical mind and an open mindset. While you can strive to move past your beginnings, the tendrils of those beginnings will stretch throughout the rest of your existence. Recognizing and striking down ties to the past, and openly embracing that past while facing the future, is the rather poetic way people can truly understand themselves as best as possible.

@cjko It is kind of ancient, haha! I think of it as upbeat, but it has some rock elements. It's just the light pop of the 80s. 80s music is like alcohol: it generally gets better with age!

My Sharona -- The Knack

I'm new to this site, and I actually made an account just so I could reply to this question. The free will versus determinism debate has raged on for millennia, and for good reason: humans like to think about the scope of action. Simply put, people like to know what their life means beyond what they themselves can observe. This is why determinism is so depressing: it dictates that everything anyone has ever done, is doing, or will do has been written since the beginning of time. That's also why determinism is endearing: there are those who prefer to know that their fate is predetermined; you don't have to worry about having a purpose or direction, and who doesn't like being part of a greater scheme? Personally, I believe that humans have free will. That's just my opinion, and it's not a fact. If you hear anyone talk about "proof" of free will (or determinism), do not believe them. If the science or methods to determine the workings of the universe existed, I think there would be more immediate consequences, and I doubt some random schmuck would even have access to that science. Even if scientists were to make a breakthrough today and settle the debate forever, I doubt they would release their findings for some time. Coming to grips with knowing something so unfalsifiable (AKA, that can't be disproven) as fact would probably be impossible to swallow. That's why the subject makes for good debate, and is a good discussion question. But the day humanity learns the answer, I think purpose will have gone out the window anyway.