The Illusion of Autonomy: You Are the Piano

Bry Willis from Philosophics Blog argues that our sense of autonomy is an illusion. His article critiques compatibilist views, which suggest freedom can coexist with causal determinism, using the analogy of a self-playing piano to illustrate that we are merely the instruments of our conditioning. Bry contends that even self-reflection and the ability to adapt are themselves determined, implying that our choices are ultimately the result of internal wiring and external influences. Therefore, the text suggests that we do not truly choose our actions or desires, but rather our behaviour is a consequence of predetermined factors, with a follow-up post promised to explore the concept of identity in this context.https://philosophics.blog/2025/04/23/unwilling-steelman-part-i/