Loki
Loki in the Multiverse of Philosophical Questions
Escape the determinism of the algorithm and exercise your free will (by reading this article)
The new Loki series on Disney+ is unique in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) for its unusually heavy philosophizing. Fortunately, it manages to present its ideas in an entertaining yet thoughtful way.
The first episode (“Glorious Purpose”) foreshadowed the centrality of the determinism versus free will debate in the series, as embodied by the conflict between the Time Variance Authority (TVA) and Loki.
The second episode (“The Variant”) wades deeper into the philosophical trenches. The quieter scenes in which two characters shared their understandings about free will, order, and human nature were just as enjoyable as the big action sequences involving time travel to Pompeii or Loki fighting his variant in a mall in 2050s’ Alabama.
DETERMINISM VERSUS FREE WILL
Free will underpins the MCU, and arguably any superhero enterprise. After all, a superhero’s ability to do the right thing is premised on his or her ability to exercise free will.
The Loki series is threatening to unravel this moral compact. As Ravonna Renslayer explained…
