Qatar Foundation’s Doha Debates examines human choice and responsibility in new town hall

Doha, Qatar — November 16, 2025: Are our choices truly our own, or are they shaped by forces beyond our control? In its latest town hall, Qatar Foundation’s Doha Debates brought together students, academics, and global experts for a thought-provoking discussion on free will and its implications for justice, forgiveness, and moral accountability.

Moderated by Imran Garda, and held at Multaqa, Education City Student Center, the event featured Imam Dr. Omar Suleiman, justice advocate and scholar, founder and president of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research and professor of Islamic studies at Southern Methodist University; Dr. Gregg Caruso, philosopher and author, professor of ethics and management at Fairfield University and honorary professor of philosophy at Macquarie University; and Professor Jeremy Koons, academic and author, professor of philosophy at Georgetown University in Qatar.

Offering a faith-based perspective, Dr. Omar Suleiman reflected on how divine decree and human choice coexist in Islamic thought, emphasizing that “we are free but we are not sovereign,” and underscoring intention and accountability in moral action. 

From an incompatibilist stance, Dr. Gregg Caruso highlighted how neuroscience challenges free will, noting that “what we do is a result and factor of the owner of control,” and calling for justice systems centered on prevention and rehabilitation rather than retribution.

Through a philosophical lens, Professor Jeremy Koons bridged the debate, arguing that moral responsibility can still function in a determined world, saying, “it is within my control whether I lie or tell the truth."

Students from universities across Qatar took part in the debate, posing questions and sharing how ideas of fate, choice, and moral responsibility influence their perspectives on justice and forgiveness. Their engagement underscored Doha Debates’ mission to empower young voices and foster inclusive, truth-seeking conversations that transcend disciplines and generations.

Filmed in Doha Debates’ signature town hall format, Do we really have free will? continues the platform’s commitment to open dialogue and shared understanding on the issues that shape our collective future.

As part of its wider programming, Doha Debates is also inviting global youth aged 18–26 to apply for its Ambassador Program - a virtual experience over approximately 12 weeks that empowers young changemakers to engage in constructive discourse and collaborate on solutions to shared global challenges. Applications are open until December 15, 2025, at DohaDebates.com/Ambassador.

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About Doha Debates

Doha Debates engages a vanguard of intellectually curious truth-seekers to constructively debate differences and build a better future. Through its programming and content, it equips a new generation of leaders with the tools to bridge divides and resolve differences.

Learn more at DohaDebates.com.