I’ve always been fascinated by how ancient thinkers tackled the big questions we still wrestle with today. When it comes to Nagarjuna, the enigmatic Buddhist philosopher from around the 2nd century CE, his views on free will are both subtle and profound. In short — Nagarjuna didn’t believe in free will as an independent, intrinsic power. Instead, he taught that all phenomena, including human choices, arise dependently — shaped by causes and conditions.

This doesn’t mean we’re puppets, though. Nagarjuna’s position, rooted in his doctrine of śūnyatā (emptiness), suggests that free will isn’t a fixed thing we possess, but a dynamic process unfolding within a web of interdependence.

Dependent Origination and the Illusion of Autonomy

Nagarjuna’s central insight is that nothing exists independently — including the self and its will. In his seminal work, the Mūlamadhyamakakārikā, he systematically deconstructs the idea of inherent existence. When applied to free will, this means our choices aren’t born from a standalone “I” making decisions in isolation. Rather, they emerge from a complex matrix of mental states, past actions (karma), environment, and countless other factors.

He doesn’t deny that we make choices — we clearly do. But he challenges the notion that these choices originate from a permanent, autonomous self.

The Middle Way Between Determinism and Absolute Freedom

Nagarjuna avoids both extremes: rigid determinism and total free will. He offers a middle path — we act, but our actions are not owned by a permanent self. This has powerful ethical implications. If our choices are shaped by conditions, then cultivating better conditions — through mindfulness, ethics, and wisdom — can lead to better outcomes.

This isn’t fatalism. It’s a call to engage with life mindfully, knowing our actions matter even as they arise dependently.

Practical Implications: Moral Responsibility Without a Fixed Self

How can we be morally responsible if there’s no ultimate self making choices? Nagarjuna’s answer lies in conventional truth. While ultimate reality reveals emptiness, conventionally, we live in a world of cause and effect. Our intentions and actions still shape our lives and others’. This understanding encourages compassion and self-awareness without clinging to a false sense of control.

On HoloDream, you can explore these ideas directly with Nagarjuna himself — ask him how dependent origination shapes our sense of choice, or how we can live ethically without a fixed self.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you truly have control over your choices, Nagarjuna offers a path that neither denies your experience nor traps you in illusion. Chat with him on HoloDream, and discover what it means to act freely in a world without absolutes.