Free will probably exists in humans.

The resolution, however has emboldened me as I do not have to prove that free will definitely exists, merely that there is a good chance (high probability) that it does. I'll keep this first round fairly brief and respond to my opponent's well set-out first round before making points of my own. ----------------- 1. Determinism. I agree that all actions must be provoked by some kind of stimulus, so yes every event has a cause. My opponent has however (I believe incorrectly) deduced from this initial premise that the causal chain of events is strictly linear and that for every cause there is only one possible outcome. This is the point I would dispute strongly. While some stimuli will produce an easily predictable response, (for example if Bill pokes Ben in the arm with a needle, it will hurt Ben and he will instinctively flinch and move away) others can produce a variety of reactions and are much more difficult to predict, ( how Ben subsequently responds to the stimulus of pain is a good example. Does he smack Bill in the chops, run off crying, try to appease Bill etc. ) A probable reason for the multitude of responses (from Ben) is free will. ---- 2: First Cause. Nothing to argue with here as this provides no proof (or even suggestion) of the impossibility of free will. ----- 3. Randomness. Ah, now we come to a crucial point. My opponent says "randomness is not free will, it is just randomness. " I contend that when rational beings choose to behave in a random manner the only possible cause can be free will. Obviously a random natural disaster is not the result of free will but I would hold that a random murder is. It may have a multitude of causes ( believe me I am not someone who underestimates the impact that environment has on our actions) but at some point a rational being made a decision to kill. My opponent states that randomness is not a synonym for free will and he is right, however to take the implication from this that the two are mutually exclusive is not remotely logical and he needs to explain this conclusion in a more satisfactory manner. ------ I believe I am a "rational agent" although I am prepared to accept the possibility that I am deluding myself. I believe that while I have many involuntary and inevitable responses and reactions to different situations and stimuli (internal and external), I am still in many cases "capable of choosing a course of action from among various alternatives. " Examples of this can be mundane (everyday) or profound (life affecting). --- Mundane example: If I am hungry I can respond to this stimulus in many ways because I have free will. I may have a limited amount of choices as to what I am able to eat but they are still multiple (unless the cupboards are especially bare that week). I may choose to take time to prepare myself a nutritious and satisfying meal or I may decide to throw a frozen pizza in the oven. If I am feeling particularly rich or lazy I could even call for a tastier pizza to be delivered. My decision may be influenced by a compound of external pressures and internal desires but thanks to free will I am able to weigh up the decision and make the choice that I like best at the time. This choice may be random or sensible and calculated but either way I am exercising my free will. --- Profound (ish) example: As a teenager I made a decision to start smoking. Peer pressure exists and it is natural for youths to act rebelliously but I made a free choice to take up an activity that I knew to be damaging to my health and also addictive. I still smoke now. I would like to stop smoking (especially tobacco) because it is pointless and could quite possibly lead to a premature and painful death. 'A-ha! ' you may say, 'so if you would like to stop and can't because you are addicted you have no free will" but this is not true. Many people who were heavily addicted have given up. Although I am ashamed to say it, I still smoke through choice and have only made one semi-serious effort to stop. The meagre satisfaction and stress relief it provides may be a cause but it is my own free will to weigh these things in the balance and make my decision. --- Free will probably exists also because I have chosen to accept this debate, I could easily have chosen not to and done something more worthwhile but I didn't, I am however choosing to end my first round now. Thankyou.