FREE-WILL?

NaddiaAoC · Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 1:59 am Post subject: Re: FREE-WILL?

I do not believe in free will; rather I see human behavior as entirely deterministic. That's not to say that randomness is non-existent, so I would not argue for pre-determination; nor would I say that anyone determines our actions. I'm currently leaning toward an experiential worldview, in which reality is created moment by moment for each person. Reality exists in each person's connection with the perceivable world. Each moment of our existence defines who "we" are and each experience follows from the last. To assert the existence of free will is to claim a meta-experiential existence; that is, we can get outside of our mind and our personal bias, to objectively influence our experience.

I don't buy into the cognitive approach to psychology and I don't see motivational therapy as anything more than brainwashing. I don't believe that we rationally (or irrationally) control our behavior. I see "us" as passengers on an experiential train. Control is an illusion. Choice doesn't exist. This doesn't negate responsibility or accountability because each individual's actions are still their actions. But I also don't think that we're capable of choosing any other action but the one chosen at the moment.

I did not exert free will in posting this message. I had no choice but to post it.

Cheryl

No, I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered as patriots. This is one nation under God. -George Bush

Edited by: NaddiaAoC at: 12/13/04 2:32 am

Chris OConnor · Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 10:22 am Post subject: Re: Quantum Confusion

Cheryl!

Where in tarnation have you been girl? Wtf is tarnation anyway? I had no choice in those words.

You need to post in your own Intro thread once in awhile and keep us posted of what is happening in your life. Or email me damnit.

Chris

Interbane · Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 12:44 pm Post subject: Re: Quantum Confusion

I wonder if the concept of memes is related to determinism... a psychological concept with determinism at it's foundation?

Either way, in playing off the idea that memes control our behavior along with our evolutionary hardwiring, I'd say most people who accept the idea then get the impression that the parameters set on human thought are very limiting. Or at least more limiting than what they really are.

For one, memes as individual 'computer programs' that dictate our lives and result in the lack of free will - they must come from somewhere. People create these memes. The act of creation should be analyzed. It is a mixture of memes, a complex combination that results in new memes, new ideas.

Yet the act of processing current memes into new memes, those moments of epiphany or eureka, I think they should be regarded higher than deterministic human programming. In the sense that we do slap a label on those instances, we should keep in mind that the 'programming' in question is quite marvelous.

I'd not assume to fully believe chance on an atomic electrical level in our neurons plays a role in such eureka's, but I do fancy the notion. As we cannot yet know it, why not hang onto the magic?

Unknown · Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2005 12:48 pm Post subject: Unknown

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