Will

philosophy regards will as being directed from outside (whether from physical, psychological, sociological or supernatural/divine causes) whereas [indeterminism]

looks on will as autonomous and self-realizing - voluntarism considering it the primary basis of all human activity. Whether or not choice is [free]

(and most religious writers assume free will a basic truth, and necessary for salvation to have any meaning) philosophic teachings are clear that good will - the aspiring to do great things - is of prime importance, the acts proceeding from that good will being of lesser importance. For William Law, heaven is when man's will works with God, and hell when it works against. According to Kant, the only thing which can be called "good" without qualification is good will, the so-called good qualities presupposing good will and no longer being unequivocally good in the absence of such will.

No path to liberation or realization can be followed without a strong will which, together with endurance, keeps the aspirant on the "journey".

Many philosophies consider ignorance to be basically the will not to know. Disturbance of the will - usually a lack of will, or changeability or stubborn fixity of will - is a symptom of schizophrenia.