According to Spinoza, why do individuals believe they possess free will?

The belief in free will, according to Spinoza, is largely attributed to individuals' focus on immediate desires. Spinoza argues that people often feel they are making free choices because they are primarily motivated by their current wants and impulses. This perspective emphasizes the immediate experience of decision-making, leading individuals to believe they are in control of their actions. However, Spinoza posits that this sense of freedom is illusory, as it overlooks the deeper, underlying causes that influence behavior.

While the other options touch on important aspects of human experience, such as societal norms, prior causes, and external influences, they do not capture the essence of why Spinoza believed people feel they possess free will. His emphasis on immediate desires speaks directly to the subjective experience of decision-making and the illusion of autonomy that comes with it. Thus, option B aligns with Spinoza's view that the perception of free will is a product of focusing on one's current motivations while remaining unaware of the broader context of causation that shapes those desires.