How can upbringing and genetic makeup affect free will?

In the context of philosophy, the influence of upbringing and genetic makeup on free will is a central concern in the debate over moral responsibility.1

Decisions are often the result of desires, which are in turn shaped by circumstances, past experiences, and personality traits—including temperament, intelligence, and dispositions. Because these factors are largely outside an individual's control, some argue that human actions may be no more the result of free will than physical characteristics like eye color.1

From the perspective of behaviour genetics, research indicates that genetics play a significant role in how individuals think, feel, and behave. While studies on twins and adoption help quantify the heritability of traits like intelligence and temperament, the "nature-nurture" debate highlights that both genetic composition and environmental factors interact to influence human behavior.23

This creates a dilemma for moral responsibility: if our actions are determined by factors beyond our control, it challenges the assumption that we could have acted otherwise. While some philosophers argue that this necessitates a revision of our concepts of freedom and accountability, others, such as compatibilists, suggest that moral responsibility can still exist by focusing on an individual's desires and identification with their actions rather than the causal origins of those actions.1456