Herein, I characterize free will (FW) is an evolved functional capacity within the mature human mind, which provides us with numerous adaptive benefits. The FW capacity was selected for because it enables us to respond effectively to momentary contingencies, via on-the-spot deliberation. But FW also extricates us from the present moment, enabling us to generate and decide between imagined long-term futures. Based upon a compatibilist philosophical definition of FW, I present a creative process model of how the FW capacity works, the goal breakthrough model. I show that the goal breakthrough model is consistent with extant neuroscientific research on the brain networks involved in creative cognition and choice. I also show that (a) exercising one's FW is a basic psychological need, as evidenced by the fact that thwarting peoples' autonomy can be harmful, and that (b) the FW process is influenced by peoples' broad goals and narrative identities, providing a way for we conscious people to causally affect our lives and the world. Finally, I show how this framework integrates recent arguments that FW may be a uniquely human adaptation, ranging from neuroscience and cognitive to personality, social, and cultural perspectives. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

中文翻译：

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自由意志能力：一种独特的人类适应能力。


在这里，我将自由意志 （FW） 描述为成熟人类思维中进化的功能能力，它为我们提供了许多适应性的好处。之所以选择转发能力，是因为它使我们能够通过现场审议来有效地应对瞬时突发事件。但 FW 也让我们从当下解脱出来，使我们能够在想象中的长期未来之间产生和决定。基于兼容主义哲学对 FW 的定义，我提出了一个关于 FW 能力如何工作的创造性过程模型，即目标突破模型。我表明，目标突破模型与现有的神经科学研究一致，研究涉及创造性认知和选择的大脑网络。我还表明，（a） 行使一个人的 FW 是一种基本的心理需求，挫败人们的自主性可能是有害的事实证明了这一点，并且 （b） FW 过程受到人们的广泛目标和叙事身份的影响，为我们有意识的人提供了一种因果影响我们的生活和世界的方法。最后，我展示了该框架如何整合最近的论点，即 FW 可能是一种独特的人类适应，从神经科学和认知到人格、社会和文化角度。（PsycInfo 数据库记录 （c） 2024 APA，保留所有权利）。