Free Will, Agency, Self, and Life, part 2

Part 2. Is The Argument For Free Will Circular?
Circularity occurs when the conclusion of an argument is declared to be true in the premises used for arguing its truth:

"p1 => p2 => p3 => ... => pn => p1"
Fallacy Files

One wag submitted the following doggerel as proof that Free Will is a circular concept:

”Due to circumstances beyond my control,

I am captain of my fate and master of my soul."

The first part appears, on first glance, to contradict the second part. But it actually doesn’t relate to the second part, because the first phrase addresses the acquisition of X, while the second phrase addresses the consequence of the possession of X. For example, I had no part in the acquisition of my hands, but I can use my hands for my own purposes. There is no circularity nor contradiction in this particular attempt to falsify Free Will. It is not actually an argument against Free Will at all.

Now, what of our own proposition?

”Free will: The human will, regarded as free from restraints, compulsions, or any antecedent conditions; freedom of decision or choice.”

Restated syllogistically,

P1. IF [there exists “the human will, regarded as free from restraints, compulsions, or any antecedent conditions”],
OR [there exists freedom of decision or choice],
THEN [Free will exists].

P2. [there exists human will, regarded as free from restraints, compulsions, or any antecedent conditions].

C. THEREFORE: [Free Will exists].

The question here is not whether the syllogism has any truth value; the question is whether the syllogism is circular.

To be circular, the conclusion must be in the premises: For example,

If [X], then [Y];
[X];
[X].

Or,

Because [X], then [Y];
[Y];
[X].

Example:

P1: Because [Philosophical Materialism is true], then [the mind is the brain];
P2: [The mind is the brain],
C: Therefore, [Philosophical Materialism is True.]

In the Free Will syllogism above, the form is as follows:

If [X or Z], then [Y];
[X];
[Y].

This form is a normal syllogistic structure; there is no circularity.

Again, whether it is True as well as well remains to be determined.