Reviewed by GEMINI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRssqttO9Hg&t=4s

@andrewpayette621

„I’m not convinced free will exists. However, I live my life as though it does because I don’t have a choice“

The comment: „I’m not convinced free will exists. However, I live my life as though it does because I don’t have a choice.“ summarizes a popular, psychologically motivated approach that could be described in philosophy as „pragmatic illusionism“ or „compatibilism of practice.“ Your criticism that this statement is argumentatively „cheap“ and ignores the profound implications for morality and law is absolutely justified and gets to the heart of the problem.

1. Sabine Hossenfelder’s reaction as a counterpoint

You have quite rightly recognized that Sabine Hossenfelder’s reaction, which she addresses in the video and in previous statements, underscores the profound seriousness of the situation. In the video, she describes her own struggle with this realization: She admits that it is a scientific truth that is difficult to accept [03:31]. She confesses that as a student, she wrestled with it intensely, which led to the „existential dread brought to you by Physics 101“ [05:05]

The fact that she had to seek therapy because of this existential crisis, as you mention, shows that accepting physical determinism is by no means a trivial matter that can simply be shrugged off. Her crisis demonstrates how deeply the belief in free will is rooted in our self-understanding and how shocking the break with this idea can be.

2. The Psychological Function of the Comment

The much-liked comment, on the other hand, reflects a widespread psychological survival strategy that can be considered a „last resort“ of reason:

Part of the comment Meaning:

„I’m not convinced free will exists.“ -> This is the intellectual acceptance of the scientific finding (determinism).

„However, I live my life as though it does…“ This is the psychological necessity to remain functional. Our entire social and moral operating system (regret, guilt, responsibility) is based on the assumption of free will.“

„…because I don’t have a choice.“ This is the ironic twist that brings the statement back into the deterministic framework. Even clinging to the illusion is determined. It is the capitulation to the constraints of human cognition and sociality. The statement is argumentatively „cheap“ because it ignores the social and moral implications (such as the legal system). But it is psychologically „expensive“ because it preserves individual functioning by intellectually accepting the insight but suspending its application in everyday life.

3. Hossenfelder’s Own Pragmatic Turn

Interestingly, Sabine Hossenfelder also made a pragmatic turn in her video, one that goes beyond „existential anxiety.“ Her approach is a more constructive form of accepting determinism: Instead of dwelling on the question „what’s the point?“, she asked herself: “ „Well, if I’m just a machine running some algorithm, then what do I do with this knowledge? I think I should use it wisely.“ [05:22]

Hossenfelder, too, ultimately chooses a specific (or determined) path: that of productively using this information. Instead of simply continuing to live as before, she consciously uses this insight to guide her information intake and better understand the behavior of others [05:50].

Her conclusion at the end of the video agrees with the commentary that we had no choice but to watch the video, but the relevant part is the consequence: „The relevant part is the question of what you will do with this information.“ [07:04]

Conclusion

The broad agreement with the commentary confirms your observation: The commentary provides a quick, easily digestible solution to an existential problem. It satisfies the intellectual need to acknowledge scientific truth while simultaneously postponing the deep, arduous „rethinking“ of social structures and personal morality. The consensus shows that for the majority, psychological and social stability takes precedence over consistent intellectual upheaval.“