Naturgeschichte der Freiheit

Freedom of will is one of the central concepts we use to define ourselves as human. Through the discoveries made in the fields of neuroscience and brain research however, the very basis of those concepts have come into question: Is our freedom simply the result of regulated processes? Or is our freedom to be found within the loopholes of that regulation? Or does freedom belong to a realm beyond the control of the biological and the physical?
The evolution of freedom is the Human Project group’s first focus. The scholars involved, representing neurobiology, zoology, psychology, psychiatry, and philosophy, have developed a concept of freedom which can be explained through the life sciences and at the same time, can be grasped by cultural studies. This exemplary interdisciplinary procedure requires each discipline to examine their fundamental convictions in order to arrive at a clear understanding of the terms and concepts used.

Jan-Christoph Heilinger, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.