The most interesting argument in Dual Realities: The Illusion and Reality of Free Will is that although a good deal of human behavior may be determined by the subconscious, through insight one may increase the room within which freedom of will can act. Although neuroscience and psychology expose how most of our choices originated below the radar, as highlighted in the book, self-awareness can be used to interrupt automatic ways of acting and open-up possibilities of making more conscious decisions. The knowledge is a way out of the illusion of complete autonomy and the understanding of the limits which define our minds.
The book goes on to describe that a large portion of our actions is driven by habits, emotional stimuli and neural pathways that have long since been formed before we even start thinking about what we are doing. These mechanisms of the unconsciousness assist the brain to work effectively but they can also blind people into some repetitive patterns that they become unable to control. But the revelation reveals all these concealed forces. When an individual realizes the reason behind his or her defensive reaction, attraction towards some individuals, or engaging in impulsive actions, he or she gets the power to select an alternative reaction.
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One of the points that are brought out in this book is that understanding changes the relationship of the mind with itself. Rather than living on autopilot, people who develop consciousness get to know how to notice the internal cues when they come. As an illustration, becoming aware of the beginning of stress before it results in an automatic response will provide a break- a crucial psychological distance where one will have the opportunity to make a choice.
Insight also assists people in recognizing the thinking errors that are unaware. Fallacies such as confirmation bias or emotional framing tend to be used in decision-making without awareness. Having learned about these tendencies, individuals can put to test the thought shortcuts that disfigure their minds. The book postulates that although human beings can never get rid of biases completely, being aware enables them to doubt the first impressions and take decisions that are more considered.
The other theme that is significant in the book is the role of emotional awareness. Emotions particularly past experiences emotionally associated emotions can shape decisions, even before the consideration of reason comes into play. Anger, fear, guilt or longing can cause people to make decisions that go against their long-term objectives. Emotional intelligence allows one to decouple the feeling and decision and provides a better thinking space where intention may prevail.
The book further discusses insights as the means of strengthening against outside forces. The environment, social pressure and cultural expectations influence behavior much more powerfully than most of us would like to admit. Unconsciously, a person can buy beliefs, values, and behavior merely because they fit in the environment. Insight enables individuals to get out of these influences and assess the external expectations on whether they have genuine intentions.
Another idea described in the book, which supports the importance of insight in bringing about true change, is neuroplasticity. The individuals are able to make conscious their habitual pattern to consciously form new ones. Practice and awareness can transform the structure of the brain, with neural pathways changing over time, and this confirms that the structure of the brain can be modified intentionally. This flexibility highlights one of the key arguments of the book: the free will is not something absolute but the ability that can be developed.
However, in the end, the book enlightens as a useful and effective form of freedom. Although it does not necessarily make one be free of the power of internal or external forces, it progresses the ability of the person to move around these forces. Insight does not ignore the constraints already shown by neuroscience; it reacts to them. Dual Realities: The Illusion and Reality of Free Will by shedding light on the dynamics that take place in the mind is an eye opener to the fact that self-awareness has the ability to change our decisions, actions and lifestyles. In this regard, insight is not mere knowledge-it is independence of action.