consciousness, control, and being slaves to our own minds

are we truly free? every time we ask this question, we find ourselves trapped in the same paradox. we believe we control ourselves, but do we really? we wake up in the morning, grab our coffee, sit in a chair, maybe read a bit. we think, “ah, i have made a conscious decision for myself as a rational being!” but no! the real question is: what made us want that coffee?

let’s think about it—where does our morning craving for coffee come from? is it because we need caffeine to function? or is it because we have been culturally programmed for years to start our day this way? even the concept of breakfast is, at its core, a ritual manufactured by capitalism and industry. modern humans are lost in an illusion of freedom in every action they take, yet we are unaware of it.

this is precisely where the issue of consciousness comes into play. is consciousness truly ours? or is it just an illusion we assume to be ours but is actually shaped by forces beyond our awareness? somewhere inside our brain, neural circuits make decisions before we are even aware of them. neuroscience tells us that before we even think we are making a choice, our brain has already activated the necessary regions. so, when we say, “i decided to do this,” the decision has, in reality, already been made. scandalous! could our freedom be nothing but an illusion?

but of course, we must stop and think: if decisions are shaped by unconscious processes, then what is control? because, look, we assume that control is something we possess. but what if control is just another construct? let’s examine the decisions we make throughout the day. will you drink tea or coffee? will you wear this outfit or that one? maybe your choices aren’t as much yours as you think they are. because all these decisions might be directed by a series of processes that have already been completed in our brain.

this is the moment when classic defenders of free will would rise up and shout: “but we can think, analyze, and plan for the future!” yes, that is true. but at the same time, we must accept this possibility: could unconscious processes be the very foundation upon which our consciousness is built? perhaps our consciousness is nothing more than the cushion on the chair we are sitting on—just more complex.

things get even more interesting here. if there is no clear boundary between consciousness and unconscious processes, then how do we define that boundary? among the hundreds of actions we take daily, how many are truly chosen by us, and how many are automatic? let’s say you got angry at a friend and snapped at them. did you really do that consciously? or was it a reflection of social responses you have learned since childhood? perhaps it was a mixture of environmental factors, neurochemical processes, and genetic inheritance.

this is why we must be careful when discussing free will. even if it exists, perhaps its greatest function is to make us believe it does! it’s a self-sustaining illusion… because feeling free is necessary for giving life meaning. but there is a vast difference between feeling free and actually being free.

so, what do we do now? do we retreat into a corner and cry, saying, “oh, i’m not free, nothing has meaning”? no, quite the opposite! understanding our unconscious processes is an opportunity to change them. if we are aware of them, we can reprogram ourselves. we can change our habits. but here’s the catch: we will never truly know if that decision was really ours. maybe after reading this, you’ll think, “yes, from now on, i will make more conscious choices.” but what if even that is just another outcome of an unconscious process?

so let’s pause. think. and whatever choice we make next, let’s ask ourselves: did we truly make it, or were we guided by invisible forces? that is the real question!

until now, when discussing free will and consciousness, we have often framed the issue as a binary choice: either we are free, or we are not. but the matter is far more complex. control is not just a spectacle performed on the stage of consciousness; behind the scenes, an immense neurobiological system is working beyond our perception, directing our decisions.

so, let’s dive deeper into the issue.

every morning, you get out of bed to go to work. you don’t have to, but you do. why? because control is not just about internal impulses; it is also shaped by social pressures, environmental obligations, and biological mechanisms. for instance, the dopamine system pushes us toward certain actions through its reward mechanism, creating the illusion of control.

social psychology studies reveal that people are far more influenced by environmental factors than they realize. if there is trash around you, you are more likely to litter. if the person across from you is holding a warm drink, you perceive them as more friendly. but even more importantly, we are not consciously aware of most of these processes.

classical free will theory suggests that our choices arise entirely from conscious processes. but modern neuroscience says: no, that’s not the case. the prefrontal cortex, limbic system, basal ganglia, and neurochemical interactions play a crucial role in decision-making—often before we are even aware of it.

when questioning the concept of free will, we must analyze which parts of the brain contribute to “control.”

• prefrontal cortex: responsible for planning, reasoning, and problem-solving. however, this is not the center of conscious thought—it merely organizes decisions.
• basal ganglia: regulates movements and habits, often functioning unconsciously. for example, when you walk, you don’t consciously think about each step, but the basal ganglia manage this process.
• limbic system: shapes most of our emotional decisions. when you act on a “gut feeling,” it is often the limbic system at work.
• dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine: these neurotransmitters regulate our sense of control. for example, low serotonin levels are linked to impulsive behavior.

brain injuries or chemical imbalances can disrupt control mechanisms. for instance, damage to the prefrontal cortex severely impairs impulse control, showing that control is not solely a conscious process—it is equally dependent on neurobiological foundations.

now, let’s address the big question: are we truly free?

if neuroscience reveals that unconscious processes shape our decisions more than we realize, then does free will really exist?

some argue that freedom is just an illusion. if our brain is making decisions before we are even aware of them, then can we really call those choices our own?

but on the other hand, humans can train themselves to influence unconscious processes. we can resist impulses, change habits, and strengthen unconscious control mechanisms through learning and adaptation.

the key takeaway is this: freedom is not about making fully conscious choices—it is about recognizing and directing our unconscious processes.

ultimately, we are not completely free. but we are not entirely powerless either. control and consciousness are intertwined elements of a larger system. perhaps real freedom lies in understanding these mechanisms and learning to navigate them. but the irony is, even our ability to do that might be predetermined by the neurological processes we had no say in.

for further reading
christopher l. suhler and patricia s. churchland, control: conscious and otherwise