Evidence: For instance, individuals with mental health conditions such as schizophrenia may struggle to control their thoughts and actions, regardless of their intentions or choices.
Explanation: If we assume that people always have free will, then we risk ignoring the significant influence of biological, environmental, and unconscious factors that may constrain behaviour. This is particularly problematic when dealing with criminal behaviour or mental illness, as it implies that individuals are always fully responsible for their actions. Such a perspective may lead to unfair treatment, stigmatisation, or neglect of necessary support and interventions. In contrast, deterministic explanations often provide a more compassionate and realistic framework by recognising that behaviour may not always be freely chosen.