RE: If free will was not real
August 20, 2016 at 8:42 am
(This post was last modified: August 20, 2016 at 8:43 am by The Grand Nudger.)
(August 20, 2016 at 8:31 am)bennyboy Wrote: The ability to form intent and act on it without external obstruction or compulsion can be called "trivial," but I'm pretty sure if this privilege were taken away from you, you'd decide that wasn't the right word after all.
The ability form intent, is intentionality - there's no requirement that this ability be free, or the product of some freedom. The ability to act on it is agency, there's no requirement that this be free or a product of some freedom. The lack of -external- obstruction or compulsion (and gl with that btw) is not the lack of obstruction, or compulsion. While I agree that none of these things are trivial, I don't know what they have to do with any free will?
Quote:The paradox is that those who claim we don't have free will are easily seen exercising their free will 24/7. You, for example, almost certainly exercised it in choosing to respond to my posts in this thread.
I can be seen exercising my will, for sure. Whether or not I exercise a free will is the question. Begging that question, is not a paradox..it;s just sloppy thinking.
Did I use a free will, do you think? Is it not at least plausible, to you...that I'm the kind of person who sees a post like this and just can't help but respond to it? That the Rhythm Algorithm has a heavily weighted parameter for engaging in discussions like these, in the way that I discuss them?
I am the Infantry. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. I am the heart of the fight… wherever, whenever. I carry America’s faith and honor against her enemies. I am the Queen of Battle. I am what my country expects me to be, the best trained Soldier in the world. In the race for victory, I am swift, determined, and courageous, armed with a fierce will to win. Never will I fail my country’s trust. Always I fight on…through the foe, to the objective, to triumph overall. If necessary, I will fight to my death. By my steadfast courage, I have won more than 200 years of freedom. I yield not to weakness, to hunger, to cowardice, to fatigue, to superior odds, For I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight. I forsake not, my country, my mission, my comrades, my sacred duty. I am relentless. I am always there, now and forever. I AM THE INFANTRY! FOLLOW ME!
