Suppose we attempt to build a free-will robot. It is designed to walk around town until it reaches an intersection with WALK/DON'T WALK signs. At that point it crosses in the WALK direction. It has the "will" component but not the "free" component. So we build in a random number generator. If it generates an odd integer it crosses in the DON'T WALK direction; if an even integer it crosses in the WALK direction. Now it has the "free" component but not the "will" component. So we replace the random number generator with memory & rules. The robot remembers that crossing in the DON'T WALK direction makes a fine for "jaywalking" possible & that crossing in the DON'T WALK direction makes harm more likely than crossing in the WALK direction. It is also given rules to minimize fines & harm. So now the robot acts like we act when we're rational. But humans can act irrationally. So free will is the capacity to act rationally & avoid acting irrationally. Craig
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