[idoh]

I like your comment, but I think it creates a false dichotomy between a deterministic universe or one with a higher power. What about a middle option, where there is no higher power but the universe isn't deterministic?

If the laws of physics include randomness / some amount of vagueness, then maybe it changes things from a philosophical perspective.

[AnimalMuppet]

If there is no higher power, if the physical universe is all there is, and if our current understanding of the physical universe is correct, there is some randomness - quantum uncertainty. But that's not the same as my free will or ability to choose, because my choice does not determine the results of the quantum uncertainty.

That leaves me essentially as a deterministic machine with some noise at the lowest levels. It doesn't leave me as what was classically considered human...