The Origin of Freedom in Animal Behaviour

Behaviour of humans and most animals can be free. Behaviour is free if the subject does of her/his own accord what must be done. Action selection is the main task of a brain. The search for the right behaviour is demanding because it requires assessing the possible consequences of the available behavioural options. Freedom is reduced externally, if fewer adaptive behavioural options are available or internally, if the search process in the brain is impaired. Most animal societies enforce cooperation at the expense of individual freedom. In contrast, human societies can base cooperation on shared intentions. In this way the individuals can cooperate without sacrificing behavioural freedom.