Freely Determined: What the New Psychology of the Self Teaches Us About How to Live

by Kennon M Sheldon

Overview

A renowned psychologist argues that free will is not only real but essential to our well-being 
 
It’s become fashionable to argue that free will is a fiction: that we humans are in the thrall of animal urges and unconscious biases and only think that we are choosing freely. In Freely Determined, research psychologist Kennon Sheldon argues that this perception is not only wrong but also dangerous. Drawing on decades of his own groundbreaking empirical research into motivation and goal setting, Sheldon shows us that embracing the ability to choose our path in life makes us happier, healthier, and more fulfilled. He also shows that this insight can help us choose better goals—ones that are concordant with our values and that, critically, we’re more likely to actually see through.  
 
Providing readers insight into how they can live a more self-directed, satisfying life, Freely Determined offers an essential guide for how we might recognize our freedom and use it wisely. 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781541620360
Publisher:	Basic Books
Publication date:	11/01/2022
Pages:	272
Sales rank:	637,722
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Kennon M. Sheldon is professor of psychology at the University of Missouri. He is one of the founding researchers of positive psychology, a fellow of the American Psychological Association, and a recipient of the Templeton Foundation Positive Psychology Prize. He lives in Columbia, Missouri. 

Table of Contents

Introduction: Why Free Will Matters 1

Chapter 1 The Problems with Determinism 19

Chapter 2 The Grand Hierarchy of Human Reality 41

Chapter 3 The Source of Our Free Will 57

Chapter 4 If We're Free, Why Don't We Feel Free? 75

Chapter 5 Untangling the Mysteries of the Symbolic Self 109

Chapter 6 Finding the Symbolic Self in the Brain 123

Chapter 7 The Problem of Too Much Freedom 135

Chapter 8 What Brings Happiness 155

Chapter 9 The Digital Self 183

Chapter 10 The Creative Process of Living 199

Epilogue: Living Well Together 219

Acknowledgments 227

Notes 229

Index 245

Editorial Reviews

Fascinating… a compelling and clear introduction to what [Self-Determination Theory] teaches us about nurturing a sense of autonomy… Readers will get a lot out of his book.”—Wall Street Journal

“A moving, persuasive, beautifully-written book that tackles a basic and central aspect of the human mind. Sheldon brings to bear personal wisdom, abundant research evidence, warmth, and wit on the grand question of whether human beings are autonomous agents or merely robots programmed by genes and environment.”
 —Roy Baumeister, New York Times–bestselling author of Willpower

“Utterly fascinating. Sheldon draws on decades of research to answer some of the most important questions of all: what is the ‘self’? How can we lead meaningful lives? A beautiful and coherent defense of free will, this book will leave readers with a deeper sense of who they are and how to take control of their lives.”—Emily Esfahani Smith, bestselling author of The Power of Meaning

“One of the premier thinkers in psychology today combines philosophical insights with empirical knowledge to suggest that free will is possible—and that seizing it is critical for a fulfilling life. Lucidly written, Freely Determined will delight and enlighten in equal measure.”—Constantine Sedikides, University of Southampton

From the Publisher

10/01/2022

Philosophers and psychologists have long debated whether humans have free will. Sheldon (psychology. Univ. of Missouri) debunks the deterministic mindset suggesting such a view cannot explain behaviors and personality. Based on extensive research, Sheldon concludes that free will not only exists but is inescapable. Denying its existence leads to unhappiness and even increases immoral behavior. Readers are introduced to the concept of the symbolic self, the lynch pin of free will, which sets goals, considers options to achieve them, and then acts on the best ones. Readers will learn the happiest people feel competent, autonomous, and connected to others. By selecting the goals that are congruent with what the individual wants, rather than what others want them to do, they will be happier. The author also discusses the concept of group consciousness and suggests that, over time, humans may evolve to develop a group consciousness. Even staunch determinists will have difficulty finding holes in Sheldon's cohesive argument. Philosophy, psychology, and sociology students interested in the concept of free will won't be disappointed. VERDICT General readers with an interest in the relationship between happiness and personal choice will appreciate Sheldon's clear, accessible writing. Highly recommended.—Lydia Olszak

Library Journal

2022-09-10
A professor of psychology takes a close look at how we make decisions and how the process affects us.

The concepts of self-knowledge and free will are often left to philosophers, but Sheldon, who specializes in motivation, well-being, and “positive psychology,” is more interested in the real-world implications. On one side are the determinists, who believe that personality is entirely the result of a wide range of intrinsic factors, including brain structure. In this view, the idea of choice is an illusion. Sheldon can see the intellectual sense in this idea but cannot accept that humans are merely the sum of parts and influences. He has little time for determinists who argue that criminals, for example, are not responsible for their actions and that their actions are the fault of everyone but themselves. He also cites evidence showing that a belief in determinism “tends to make people less competent, less happy, and less moral” and that “experiments show that convincing people to believe in determinism negatively affects them in many ways. The results of these experiments provide yet more reason for doubt, and reason to pause, on the road to fatalism.” Sheldon generally comes down on the side of free will as a fundamental aspect of being human, although he acknowledges the difficulty of defining it and locating its origins. He devotes several chapters to “the symbolic self,” which “emerges from and is built upon brain processes but is not strictly determined by them.” Along the way, he examines a number of experiments that have examined the nature and limitations of decision-making. This is interesting stuff, so it’s unfortunate that Sheldon wanders in the final third of the book. The sections on happiness research and artificial intelligence don’t adequately connect to the determinist-vs.–free will argument. However, the author explores a variety of intriguing topics in an articulate, logical way.

A fresh perspective on an old debate, arguing for self-awareness, personal responsibility, and clear thinking.

Kirkus Reviews