tom sarbeck

Unseen is right (though only with the added caveat of MAY) in that there may never be a solution and perhaps correct in that the solution is free will simply IS an illusion…they are both possibilities. Simon is correct in that the solution may come by finding the right conceptual framework. As Raymond Tallis (a noted neuroscience and…[Read more]

Oh I have no doubt you believe there is no solution to a problem on an issue in which we lack even basic information on and one you refuse to inform yourself on opposing arguments. That’s why, while on most topics I totally respect your point of view (even when I may seriously disagree with it) on this one I can only shake my head and laugh out…[Read more]

Hey Jake, don’t get me wrong…I also think it’s great that Sam is trying to add meaning and value to a secular life without religion. It is fantastic. But I simply laughed while reading his book “Free Will” where he casually dismisses free will because “determinism” but then at the end talks about moral responsibility without even bothering to…[Read more]

Neuroscience is far more difficult a field than rocket science Ivy. You need to have a near medical understanding of the physiology of the brain and then a theory of consciousness and an understanding of human psychology and be up to date on the most recent research. Rocket scientists have sufficient information and millions of man hours of…[Read more]

Jake…you see…this is basically why I was very reluctant to elaborate on Dennet’s theory because while Simon did about as good of a job as you possibly can with summarising a complex theory…it didn’t begin to do it justice. The chess program is an analogy and not a direct explanation of his theories. I don’t want to get bogged down into…[Read more]

Unseen you specifically said in the past any idea should be easily summarised in a couple sentences. When challenging you to do so (say summarise relativity or evolution into a few sentences so a layperson can reasonably understand it you were conveniently silent).

In any case…an average person cannot properly understand the intricacies of the…[Read more]

If you can’t explain it to ordinary folks plainly, then in their mind the problem will remain.

Unseen that is total bullshit. Please explain the theory of relativity in “two sentences”.

Simon Matthews, a great user here on atheist zone some years back who sort of fizzled away, wrote a 2 page summary of Dennet’s “Freedom Evolves”. I’m not going to search the archives for it (it may even be on think atheist!) but for a book that is insanely difficult to summarise I’d say he did an okay job on the basic premise. The best way to look…[Read more]

The best theory I’ve ever read on free will is “Freedom Evolves” by Daniel Dennet (one of the four horsemen on atheism writing “Breaking the Spell”). I can lend anyone the ebook if they are interested. I believe Simon Matthews wrote a three page summary of the book some years back and also believe Reg has read it. Covers a fairly up to date theory…[Read more]

I’m super glad to hear that Ivy! I can totally sympathise with the plight of raising a child with behavioural problems all on your own. So are you more in the atheist camp at the moment or are you on the fence? I’m terribly sorry about talking to you about you in the 3rd person. If I had any idea I wouldn’t have done it! Mil disculpas amor!

Indeed. I mean all of this sounds slightly reasonable, I’d simply argue that if AI could break free from the absolute laws of physics (we think are absolute) then our highly complex brain that we don’t fully understand could too! I don’t think this is the best route to AI anyways but I would say if you allow for AI to achieve it…then free will…[Read more]

Ahhh ha ha ha. I had no idea. I thought you had left for good. How is your son!?

Ivy…you’re Belle????

As to the likelihood of utilizing alternate physics i doubt it also but it may be possible.

Indeed I don’t get it. He’s on the one hand admitting that in fact there may be some unknown route to free will…but somehow knowingly claim humans don’t have access to this (how do you know that?) and that AI might (how do you know that?). I mean either…[Read more]

Says the expert in ad hominems who started this whole topic to provoke and who escalates disagreements with “happy spirited” snark. I never claimed to know better than you, I have no idea if free will exists, I simply did something (and two other users here) that you haven’t done which is educated myself a little on both sides of the debate.…[Read more]

it’s a solution only a philosopher or expert of some sort can understand.

No unseen. There is an enormous spectrum in between “a trite summary of a highly complex topic into a couple paragraphs” and “having to study something for years and become an expert”. There is an ocean in between those two polar opposites. And it can be found in something c…[Read more]

Besides, this is a DISCUSSION forum not a book club.

That’s no excuse unseen to be so intellectually lazy. Zheesh

No Unseen I’d prefer you to live the rest of your intellectual life watching youtube videos, single paragraph summaries and repeating the same old shit without ever truly challenging yourself.

Pick up a book and read Unseen

The credible part in my opinion is the assistance with certain aspects of socialization for children that cannot be gotten in other settings.

We had a user a few years back who made the same claim. She was a single mother having a hard time with a kid with behavioural problems and got some assistance with the community. I don’t believe it was…[Read more]