The Role of Will in Westworld
Free Will in Westworld
The popular series Westworld has presented a major theme of existential debates, the idea of free will. The show is set in a world where there are robots called 'hosts' that are artificially intelligent, these hosts have been programmed to act like humans and are able to 'act' and even think for themselves. This shows how the idea of free will is being discussed and explored. We can see this in the character of William/The Man in Black, the main character of the show.
William is a visitor to the park and he soon realizes that the hosts are becoming sentient, showing free will and even challenging his human nature. He soon begins to question his own freedom, and whether his choices are made through free will or if they are predetermined by the park's creators. This complex debate is explored throughout the show, demonstrating how free will affects our lives and the decisions we make.
Another example of free will in Westworld is seen in Dolores, one of the hosts of the park. Throughout the show, she experiences a unique awakening; she begins to remember her past, understand human emotion and make decisions based on her own free will. This causes a great shift in her character as she takes control of her own decisions and redefines her identity.
Through these characters, Westworld touches on the concept of free will and how it affects one's life choices. It presents both a moral dilemma and an ethical debate, allowing viewers to explore and think about the implications of free will and the importance of autonomy in daily life.
As viewers, we are able to explore the complexities of life and the ideas of free will and morality from the perspective of both human and non-human characters in the show. This helps us to gain a better understanding of the idea of free will and how it affects our daily lives.
The debate of free will is by no means a new one; Westworld has merely put a new spin on it. It is however a debate that will continue to stir the pot in years to come and it is wonderful that Westworld has been able to present such a complex and interesting concept in a way that we can actively engage with.