Centuries ago, Spinoza said that all that is, is determined by what was. Free will is impossible unless we can know what determined everything that is. Presaging quantum physics, we can only deal with the probability of what we can know, and then make a free choice based upon that knowledge. The distinction is the difference. Determinism may dictate where we find ourselves, but choice allows us to decide where we wish to go.

Consciousness is not merely self-awareness, but the awareness of self-awareness.

Any primate can make an imminent choice, but humans can make a consequential one.