The Act of Will (theory)

The Act of Will theory suggests that genuine human actions stem from intentional, conscious decisions made through the exercise of will. In this view, voluntary actions originate from an individual's mental choice rather than unconscious impulses or external forces. The theory emphasizes that acting intentionally involves a deliberate mental process—willing—where one intentionally directs their mind to perform a specific act. It underpins notions of moral responsibility, highlighting that truly voluntary actions are those initiated through conscious decision-making, distinguishing them from automatic or reflexive behaviors.