RE: Free Will - Yes/No?
May 9, 2016 at 9:57 pm
(This post was last modified: May 9, 2016 at 9:58 pm by Aroura.)
I personally think it is important, and a topic worthy both of professional research, and my own personal time and thought.
Look how often "sin" and "evil" are associated with choice. Christians say chosing to be gay I a sin, but once science could definitively show it was not a choice, many Christians were able to accept it.
If we understand that all behavior, from nurturing to murder, are caused, then perhaps we will spend more time seeking and helping people to avoid the causes of harmful behaviors, and give them the tools for a better life, instead of just heaping on thoughtless blame.
People who are dangerous still need to be locked up until a better solution comes up, but the whole notion of punishment needs to be reworked, with a much greater focus on prevention, and compassionate thinking.
Hard determinism in mainstream acceptance can lead us to a better society, not a fatalistic one.
Look how often "sin" and "evil" are associated with choice. Christians say chosing to be gay I a sin, but once science could definitively show it was not a choice, many Christians were able to accept it.
If we understand that all behavior, from nurturing to murder, are caused, then perhaps we will spend more time seeking and helping people to avoid the causes of harmful behaviors, and give them the tools for a better life, instead of just heaping on thoughtless blame.
People who are dangerous still need to be locked up until a better solution comes up, but the whole notion of punishment needs to be reworked, with a much greater focus on prevention, and compassionate thinking.
Hard determinism in mainstream acceptance can lead us to a better society, not a fatalistic one.
“Eternity is a terrible thought. I mean, where's it going to end?”
― Tom Stoppard, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead
― Tom Stoppard, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead
