[Slate] Tom Cruise on the Greatness of Free Will

A Secret Agent Who Defies Fate
The Power of Extreme Altruism
Toward Collective Action and Compassion

The 'Mission: Impossible' series tells the story of Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise), a secret agent who defies fate. Each time, he overcomes crises that threaten not only the IMF but the entire world through bold decisions and actions. As the title suggests, the process is a life-or-death journey. He clings to a flying airplane, runs along the walls of the world's tallest building relying on a single rope, and faces attacks from helicopters atop a speeding train.

'Mission: Impossible ? Dead Reckoning', which premiered on May 17, is no different. Hunt escapes from a deep-sea submarine without a diving suit or oxygen mask, and engages in combat while hanging from a light aircraft in midair. The nerve-wracking action is more than mere resistance; it implies the possibility that we can be autonomous beings.

Most people live believing they are free agents within the constraints of nation, class, and race. At the center of this is rational decision-making. These decisions accumulate, evolving into behavioral patterns and habits, and ultimately into the sum of experiences that make up one's life. At this point, people use memory, language, and stories to rationalize their lives. They shape themselves into beings that feel understandable and controllable.

Of course, it is impossible to be involved in every situation or decision. There are countless cases where things do not go as intended. One is blocked by the constraints that govern their own self, the selves of others, and the world itself. Not only the power of the unconscious, but also external factors to some extent shape and determine one's life, leading people to accept this reality.

In 'Mission: Impossible ? Dead Reckoning', such dominant systems are embodied by an artificial intelligence (AI) entity. It rapidly infiltrates a world run on digital foundations. It even takes control of the nuclear weapons held by various countries, bringing humanity to the brink of extinction. Hunt, who obtains the key to neutralize it, sacrifices himself to save the world.

The Entity knows everything about him. However, it cannot anticipate his extreme altruism. Even when there is no clear personal benefit, Hunt always puts the needs of others first. Although this sometimes complicates matters, he boldly completes his missions and reaches hope.

The source of such extreme altruism is compassion. It is a strong desire to put oneself in another's position, to share their feelings, and to do something that will actually help. In an uncertain future, this manifests as personal autonomy and free will, leading to solutions.

In reality, such cases are rare. This is because there are limits to personal autonomy and free will. On the contrary, an excessive belief in free will can lead to nihilism or ideology. According to neuroscience, when people believe their free will is limited or does not exist at all, they tend to act more selfishly.

However, Hunt's convictions cannot simply be dismissed as fiction. Neuroscientist Hannah Critchlow, in her book 'The Science of Fate', argued, "If we move away from the dominant assumption of innate nature and autonomous personal power, and reconsider what leads us and shapes outcomes, new opportunities open up."

"If we can integrate the concept that humanity possesses the potential for altruism and compassion, we might be able to move toward collective action for overall problem-solving?in simpler terms, to a direction where we listen to our neighbors' opinions."

The foundation is already in place. With the world becoming increasingly connected through the internet and social networking services (SNS), we are now in an unprecedented situation where ideas and needs can be communicated with ease. From ongoing wars and refugee crises to climate change that threatens the very existence of humanity, we are more aware than ever of the suffering occurring around us. As the threats posed by systems like the Entity grow, so too does the scope of our autonomy and free will.