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As discussed in sections \ref{knowledge} and \ref{will}, we understand
knowledge as a model, or recursive generator of predictions; while will is
that agency which selects, or resolves uncertainty, in systemic processes.
Knowledge and will are intimately related in the actions of all neural
systems: the availability of knowledge acts as an {\em a priori} constraint
on the range of possible actions; while the will selects a final action
from that set.
In our thought and language we distinguish two different classes of
elements which we say exist: our {\bf beliefs}, expressing what we think we
know; and our {\bf desires} or {\bf intentions}, expressing what we are
striving for and intend to do. We can describe the elements of the first
class collectively as knowledge, and the elements of the second class as
will. They are not isolated from each other. Our goals and even our wishes
depend on what we know about our environment. Yet they are not determined
by it in a unique way. We clearly distinguish between the range of options
we have and the actual act of choosing between them. As an American
philosopher noticed, no matter how carefully you examine the
schedule of trains, you will not find there an indication as to where you
want to go. We think about knowledge as a representation of the world in
our mind.
Another way to describe the relation between knowledge and will is as a
dichotomy between not-I and I, or between object and subject. The border
between them is defined by the phrase ``I can''. Indeed, the content of our
knowledge is independent of our will in the sense that we cannot change it
by simply changing our intentions or preferences. On the contrary, we can
change our intentions without any externally observable actions. We call it
our will. It is the essence of our ``I''.
