Most Humans Do NOT Have Completely Frree Will
April 13, 2016 at 8:51 pm
(This post was last modified: April 13, 2016 at 8:56 pm by Rhondazvous.)
This is a totally secular discussion and has nothing to do with god.
First, I should start by defining what I mean by free will. You may not agree with my definition. In that case we are not talking about the same thing and should use different terminology for different concepts if we want to communicate effect. Arguing over the one true definition of “free will” will get us nowhere. So I will describe a concept which I will here designate “Free Will.”
But even before I do that, I find that I must define “will.” I differentiate between will and desire. It is my will to stay healthy and have a reasonable amount of weight. It is my desire to eat as much chocolate as I can get my hands on. So my will is that falulty which once informed about the outcomes available to me chosen outcome. Whereas desire is what brings a moment of pleasure irrespective of the final outcome.
A free will then is one which is first informed and then not overwhelmed by contradictory desires.
Based on these definitions, I conclude that humans do not have free will.
1. We are often required to choose actions when we don’t know the outcome. To choose an action without information is not an exercise of the will, even if those who have power over you to force you to make such chooses insist on holding us responsible for those chooses.
2. Most of us know that scratching mosquito bites does not stop the itching. We tell ourselves every summer that we will not scratch. Yet, we do it anyway, knowing that scratching may cause the bite to sting and get infected. We can’t even say we do it because we want relief, for it brings no respite. We have information about the outcome, but our will is overwhelmed by the desire to scratch.
First, I should start by defining what I mean by free will. You may not agree with my definition. In that case we are not talking about the same thing and should use different terminology for different concepts if we want to communicate effect. Arguing over the one true definition of “free will” will get us nowhere. So I will describe a concept which I will here designate “Free Will.”
But even before I do that, I find that I must define “will.” I differentiate between will and desire. It is my will to stay healthy and have a reasonable amount of weight. It is my desire to eat as much chocolate as I can get my hands on. So my will is that falulty which once informed about the outcomes available to me chosen outcome. Whereas desire is what brings a moment of pleasure irrespective of the final outcome.
A free will then is one which is first informed and then not overwhelmed by contradictory desires.
Based on these definitions, I conclude that humans do not have free will.
1. We are often required to choose actions when we don’t know the outcome. To choose an action without information is not an exercise of the will, even if those who have power over you to force you to make such chooses insist on holding us responsible for those chooses.
2. Most of us know that scratching mosquito bites does not stop the itching. We tell ourselves every summer that we will not scratch. Yet, we do it anyway, knowing that scratching may cause the bite to sting and get infected. We can’t even say we do it because we want relief, for it brings no respite. We have information about the outcome, but our will is overwhelmed by the desire to scratch.
The god who allows children to be raped out of respect for the free will choice of the rapist, but punishes gay men for engaging in mutually consensual sex couldn't possibly be responsible for an intelligently designed universe.
I may defend your right to free speech, but i won't help you pass out flyers.
Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.
--Voltaire
Nietzsche isn't dead. How do I know he lives? He lives in my mind.
I may defend your right to free speech, but i won't help you pass out flyers.
Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.
--Voltaire
Nietzsche isn't dead. How do I know he lives? He lives in my mind.
