The Ajivika philosophy, founded by Makkhali Gosala in ancient India, is a deterministic philosophy that places a strong emphasis on fate. This means that the Ajivikas believe that everything in life is predetermined and that individuals have no control over their actions or destiny. As such, their view on free will is quite different from other schools of thought.

According to the Ajivikas, free will is an illusion. They believe that every event, action, and decision in life is predetermined by a cosmic force known as niyati. This cosmic force is believed to be the ultimate controller of all actions and events, and it is beyond the control of human beings. This means that individuals have no real agency or control over their lives and are simply following a predetermined path set by niyati.

The Ajivikas also believe in the concept of karma, which is closely related to their view on free will. They believe that every action, good or bad, has a predetermined consequence that is determined by niyati. This means that individuals have no control over the consequences of their actions, as they are already predetermined. This further reinforces the idea that free will is an illusion and that individuals are simply following a predetermined path.

In contrast to other philosophies that promote personal responsibility and self-determination, the Ajivikas believe that individuals are not responsible for their actions. They argue that since everything is predetermined, individuals cannot be held accountable for their actions as they have no control over them. This belief also extends to the concept of moral responsibility, as the Ajivikas believe that individuals cannot be held responsible for their choices and actions since they are predetermined by niyati.

Furthermore, the Ajivikas also reject the idea of individual effort and striving towards goals. They believe that everything in life, including success and failure, is predetermined and therefore, individuals have no control over their achievements or failures. This can be seen as a stark contrast to other philosophies that promote hard work and determination as a means to achieve success.

In conclusion, the Ajivika philosophy views free will as an illusion and believes that everything in life is predetermined by the cosmic force of niyati. This deterministic view of the world has implications for personal responsibility, moral accountability, and the concept of individual effort. While this may seem like a fatalistic view, the Ajivikas believe that accepting the predetermined nature of life can lead to inner peace and detachment from worldly desires.