Are our choices truly our own, or are they
shaped by forces beyond our control? In its latest town hall, Qatar
Foundation’s Doha Debates brought together students, academics, and global
experts for a thought-provoking discussion on free will and its implications
for justice, forgiveness, and moral accountability.

Moderated by Imran
Garda, and held at Multaqa, Education City Student Center, the event
featured Imam Dr. Omar Suleiman, justice advocate and scholar, founder
and president of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research and professor of
Islamic studies at Southern Methodist University; Dr. Gregg Caruso,
philosopher and author, professor of ethics and management at Fairfield
University and honorary professor of philosophy at Macquarie University; and Professor
Jeremy Koons, academic and author, professor of philosophy at Georgetown
University in Qatar.

Offering a faith-based
perspective, Dr. Omar Suleiman reflected on how divine decree and human
choice coexist in Islamic thought, emphasizing that “we are free but we are not
sovereign,” and underscoring intention and accountability in moral action.

From an incompatibilist stance, Dr. Gregg
Caruso highlighted how neuroscience challenges free will, noting that “what
we do is a result and factor of the owner of control,” and calling for justice
systems centered on prevention and rehabilitation rather than retribution.

Through a philosophical lens, Professor
Jeremy Koons bridged the debate, arguing that moral responsibility can
still function in a determined world, saying, “it is within my control whether
I lie or tell the truth.”

Students from universities across Qatar took
part in the debate, posing questions and sharing how ideas of fate, choice, and
moral responsibility influence their perspectives on justice and forgiveness.
Their engagement underscored Doha Debates’ mission to empower young voices and
foster inclusive, truth-seeking conversations that transcend disciplines and
generations.

Filmed in Doha Debates’ signature town hall
format, Do we really have free will? continues the platform’s commitment
to open dialogue and shared understanding on the issues that shape our
collective future.

As part of its wider programming, Doha Debates
is also inviting global youth aged 18–26 to apply for its Ambassador Program
– a virtual experience over approximately 12 weeks that empowers young
changemakers to engage in constructive discourse and collaborate on solutions
to shared global challenges. Applications are open until December 15, 2025, at DohaDebates.com/Ambassador.