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I think if there is part of our consciousness independent of the physical world, then it's the part that experiences or feels, not a part that acts. If it acts then it isn't independent of the physical world.
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If its INDEPENDENT of the physical world, how could we ever know what it is doing? Independent sort of implies that it doesnt interact with the physical world in any way right? Well, that rules out emotions and feelings and thoughts. What exactly is it?
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Qualia.
But really, you're asking an unfair question.
If it's separate from the physical world, then it can't enter into the physical world in any way. Thus, it can't affect what any of us are typing here on this message board. And thus, it can't be expressed. Any
physical response to your
physical question misses the point.
(Incidentally, this means we can't - not just shouldn't, but
can't - act on the basis of such a "thing." Our physical selves can't even
know about this "thing." Therefore, in practical terms we can assume it doesn't exist. And in philosophical terms all we can do is speculate baselessly.)
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Exactly, so how could such a thing be anything like what we mean by free will?