Hybrid theory between freewill and determinism

[bennyboy]

I suppose the spiritualist's efforts, Christian or otherwise, to disengage from our baser animal instincts through constant meditation (prayer, philosophical insight, whatever) could be seen as a deliberate attempt to strengthen the will and thereby make it more free. In fact, I'd say this is one of the things that all religions have in common-- through insight, the capacity to overcome sexual desire, fear of the unknown, or even pain, and therefore be more free to act on conscious intent rather than animal impulse.