Metaverse vs Descartes: Free Will and Determinism All Over Again

The Metaverse in general and artificial intelligence in particular are coming at speed. These developments bring many good features and present some pointers for caution. This new world is intriguing and promising, almost like a form of magic. The advantages in many medical and therapeutic fields are clear for all to see. Because things are happening so fast, there has not been an opportunity for a great amount of research into the impact of these tools and capabilities on decision-making and on people's level of control in making decisions. Concerns around addiction and lack of control have been raised in the literature, along with the possibility of a reduction in critical thinking and the promotion of laziness. Authors have even written about the loss of our unique humanness in this virtual world. Religious beliefs of many kinds, along with philosophy, have highlighted the importance of free will for people. The dramatically fast development of AI I can remember us going shopping down that Main Street actually and the Metaverse in general have raised questions about the extent to which we still have control of our thoughts, and whether these new possibilities enhance or inhibit our free will. This paper considers the pluses and minuses of AI and the Metaverse from the point of view of both individuals and society, and suggests some areas for careful consideration.