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Post by possiblyprodigal on Aug 20, 2008 13:24:23 GMT -6
Do you guys (& gals) think we have free will? I do, but I have no idea how it could be possible. If we don't have a 'soul', then "we" are only an illusion in our brains, which are governed by the laws of physics, thus we have our decisions fixed ahead of time by simple cause and effect. Quantum uncertainty (the idea that laws are merely high probabilities, like an electron 'probability cloud' rather than an electron in orbit of the nucleus) to me seems not like randomness (it would still be chaos & uncertainty, not organized free will, even if it worked) but like merely the consequences of currently unknown physical laws. And even with a soul, what causes different choices? Are they capricious?(which would be the definition of free will, but also hard to accept, as uncaused phenomena are like infinity, only somewhat graspable) Are 'souls' made en masse all the same, or individualized? And why are some put in luxury and others in poverty? I'm so confused.
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Post by 11111 on Aug 20, 2008 20:28:06 GMT -6
Our brains are what navigate us through the infinite amount of possibilities in the given nature of the start of our universe. This is the concept of the Frame. Every instance of reality at any given time is splayed and randomly assorted everywhere. Being masters of the first 3 dimensions, humans still can not control the 4+. Our brains simply find the next "frame" that makes sense, and then we hop to it. This is where memory comes from, and this is how we travel through time.
So, we do have free will is what I am saying. Our conscious thoughts/needs/wants tell our subconscious in which direction to head next. This is also possibly why things like mass-prayer, ESP, karma, and other super-natural phenomena occur. If your mind is strong willed enough, or even believes enough, you will come to a reality that suits you.
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Post by Deverex on Aug 20, 2008 21:23:45 GMT -6
my brain hurts...
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Post by Shyft Trakia-Vorga VahtiDahl on Aug 21, 2008 15:22:06 GMT -6
'I feel that believing in choice is not incorrect. It is just one way of perception. Whether we make choices or decisions, we are still working under a mathematical system. We are all programs, in the big whole, but that does not mean that we can not grow and change.'
I think that it is all in how you look at it. We are the product of our experiences born as what our parents' bodies made us but we relate to our lives through thoughts and feelings in stead of numbers and algorithms. We say, 'I think,' and, 'I feel,' so why not say, 'I will,' and, 'I choose'?
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Post by kaian on Aug 22, 2008 14:29:24 GMT -6
Everything that happens to you is the result of choices upon choices upon choices, etc. I believe that ultimately, the individual is the only true controlling factor in one's life, so I do believe in free will. Outside forces may choose to try to reduce your options or control you altogether, but if you submit to their pressure and live under the influence of something else, that's your choice too.
A person's self-awareness and identity may be shaped by biology and cultural influences, but what that person chooses to do with and against others' wills is what determines how their life pans out.
So I think that's basically what Shyft just said.
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Post by Shyft Trakia-Vorga VahtiDahl on Aug 22, 2008 14:54:29 GMT -6
Not entirely. You are missing the main point which is that what you see as free will is quite possibly what exists based on our bodies' experience. A mind is just a giant compilation of smaller parts that all need to do their own thing in order to make them work as a whole. What we see as choice is caused by our memories which are stored in the way that they are due to this and that because of what not and so on. Watching some one look one way, look the other, look again at the first, and then walk that way does not signify the existence of choice.
I dunno. I do not think that I explained that very well, but I thought that the original post made it clear enough.
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