Human Intelligence is an Illusion

[The__Chameleon]

Let me say then instead that in my experience in discussing matters of philosophy with atheists, particularly with respect to matters related to libertarian free will, the way they commonly describe or utilize the word intelligence is consistent with "the ability to consciously reason in a manner independent from deterministic factors". This, therefore has been the word I have chosen to describe this capacity. I am hoping to move past semantic issues so I can make clear my underlying point.

I can confidently say that Atheists cannot logically accept that the universe has libertarian free will (or intelligence as it is used in that context) because that would be belief in a god. Yet at the same time your typical Atheist (from what I can determine) wants to feel that they are the masters of their own destiny. That they can make conscious choices that are not dictated by deterministic factors). If a decision is made outside of their conscious awareness then there is no way to be certain that the decision was arrived at through libertarian free will or processing based entirely on deterministic factors. Since I have demonstrated that all decisions are arrived at outside the realm of conscious awareness, how can one claim they are the masters of their own destiny if they are not even conscious of when, how, or by who or what those decisions are made. If those processes are free thinking in nature then that free thinking quality is not sourced in that persons conscious mind, but in an independent consciousness that operates outside of the awareness of their own (you see this is where semantics can get tricky). If I say I have libertarian free will and my choices are made before I am aware of them, then I (my conscious sense of self) did not initiate nor determine the method for arriving at those choices. The libertarian free agency is sourced outside of my conscious mind which precludes me as a conscious identity from being the master of my own destiny.


Just a question to everyone When you use the word "I" precisely what are you identifying as you? Particularly in the context of making choices? There's a lot of ways a person can identify their perceived nature of self.