jakelafort

Davis wrote:
If everything is due to prior events, and that negates meaningful choice (meaningful free will), it negates meaningful everything (including morality, responsibility, power structures, anything controlling anything be it automated for not etc). All that is left are very bad descriptors, not meaning, nothing meaningful.

So, if I doubt…[Read more]

You keep using two different kinds of language as though “control” is meaningful if “choice” is meaningless.

If free will is an illusion, then control is an illusion (as is morality or consequence). That’s fine, I’m not saying with any certainty any of that exist. But it is ridiculous to dismiss meaningful choice, and still hold onto anything…[Read more]

TheEncogitationer wrote:
As for picking a city, you could always easily give a different answer every time you are asked or answer “none of the above.”

True, but there’s always a reason beyond your control for whatever choice you make. Such choices are made in your brain and you don’t control your brain. Your brain controls you.

jakelafort wrote:
posit…implicit…automatic…unspoken…assumed…unavoidable…but utterly consequential

“Implicit,” “implied.” Both come from the same basic meaning. Assuming something doesn’t make it true. Assumption is an act, not a conclusion.

Probably the most fundamental problem with free will is defining it, and defining it so that doesn’t giv…[Read more]

jakelafort wrote:
I indicated we posit free will and that is an artificial way to think of it. It is implicit.

What do you mean “implicit.” That free will is implied somehow? That doesn’t make it exist. It doesn’t make nonsense sensible.

@ Reg

Yeah, we don’t know what it is but we all want it. Why? So we can engage in our of our favorite activities: praise and (more importantly) blame.

Yes, the “pick a city” is a good exercise. I am determined to have free will.

Thanks Unseen. Not a trace of a Russian accent to be detected 🙂

I will check out the article on free will. Looks interesting. And I may comment on it if so moved.

One of the best arguments against free will came from Sam Harris when he asked an audience (I paraphrase), to pick a city, any city. That done, what process did you use to arrive at that city?

So, that’s about as free a decision as one can make and…[Read more]

Reg, I think you missed a good one:

Have a great week everyone!