Neuroscientist Uri Maoz explores the question of free will, delving into how desires and beliefs turn into actions. His research suggests that our decisions might be pre-programmed in a 'self-driving car' brain, where conscious mind takes the credit for unconscious processes.

Maoz initially used variations on Libet’s experiments, predicting hand movements before they occurred, but found these arbitrary choices insufficient to study meaningful life-changing decisions. Philosophers helped him distinguish between intention, desire and urge, leading to more nuanced research.

Despite the deterministic nature of the universe suggested by physics, Maoz's work focuses on understanding the neural processes underlying decision-making. He organised conferences to bring philosophers together, challenging conventional scientific approaches to free will.

In 2017, he took his team out on a lake for an excursion, jokingly wishing they wouldn't sink as 'everybody in the field would die.' Perhaps, SUNI muses, even such decisions are beyond our control.