Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2010 5:23:47 GMT -5
The argument between those who believe in the freedom of the will and those who do not has raged for thousands of years. On both sides are many eminent thinkers and many good arguments.
Even among scientists there are fierce disagreements (though the general consensus in the scientific community is towards a determinist rather than a voluntarist answer.)
I'll try and keep things simple - I know that's not one of my strongest points!
If the will is free, what exactly does that MEAN?
If it is NOT free, does that mean that everything we do is totally preordained?
Is our consciousness of ourselves as being able to choose freely simply an illusion?
Is the notion that we are responsible for our actions no more than a remnant of superstition?
OK, I'll try and simplify.
If you go to a restaurant you can look at any item on the menu and you can choose to order any meal you like.
What you CAN'T do is 'decide' what type of food you like.
We all have foods that we do and don't like and that is NOT a matter of choice.
I loathe tuna (it makes me ill) and NO amount of saying to myself that 'yesterday I hated tuna but today I've decided that I'm going to like it' will CHANGE that fact because I do NOT have control over it. I CANNOT make a CHOICE about what I like or do not like.
If my will is free then I OUGHT to be able to do so. In reality I can no more change my likes and dislikes by an effort of will than I can change my height!
I'll write more tomorrow - restricted internet access till Wednesday - but would be interested to hear some thoughts by members on this one.
Even among scientists there are fierce disagreements (though the general consensus in the scientific community is towards a determinist rather than a voluntarist answer.)
I'll try and keep things simple - I know that's not one of my strongest points!
If the will is free, what exactly does that MEAN?
If it is NOT free, does that mean that everything we do is totally preordained?
Is our consciousness of ourselves as being able to choose freely simply an illusion?
Is the notion that we are responsible for our actions no more than a remnant of superstition?
OK, I'll try and simplify.
If you go to a restaurant you can look at any item on the menu and you can choose to order any meal you like.
What you CAN'T do is 'decide' what type of food you like.
We all have foods that we do and don't like and that is NOT a matter of choice.
I loathe tuna (it makes me ill) and NO amount of saying to myself that 'yesterday I hated tuna but today I've decided that I'm going to like it' will CHANGE that fact because I do NOT have control over it. I CANNOT make a CHOICE about what I like or do not like.
If my will is free then I OUGHT to be able to do so. In reality I can no more change my likes and dislikes by an effort of will than I can change my height!
I'll write more tomorrow - restricted internet access till Wednesday - but would be interested to hear some thoughts by members on this one.