[nwiswell]

I think philosophically when we talk about non-causal "free will" it is "not scientifically understood", but that's different than "supernatural".

Just because our perception prevents us from predicting outputs from inputs in a way that appears random does not mean that it is just a chaotic system. This is part of the question posed by the original article: does quantum theory provide certain mechanisms that could permit non-deterministic agents to intervene in causal ways that are not predictable? Or would we have to appeal to the supernatural / mystic / divine in order for such a thing to even be possible?

Certain interpretations (e.g., the "Many Worlds" interpretation of QM) are more conducive to this possibility than others.

Generally, "free will" is simply stated as "the freedom to do otherwise". Returning to the "simulated brain" example -- if the computer simulation is faster than the "squishy brain" agent, then it has already predicted the outcome, and the "squishy brain" agent has no "freedom to do otherwise": the outcome is pre-determined.

[dotsam]

> Certain interpretations (e.g., the "Many Worlds" interpretation of QM) are more conducive to this possibility than others.

> Generally, "free will" is simply stated as "the freedom to do otherwise".

In the Many Worlds interpretation, as I understand it, everything that can happen, does happen (as it would in a single universe of infinite extent). So no matter what you choose to do in one universe, the multiverse-wide outcome is predetermined: copies of you always make all choices not forbidden by the laws of physics.

I think this just pushes the problem of determinism out to the multiverse as a whole.