(May 28, 2009 at 6:36 pm)Darwinian Wrote: The whole thrust of your argument seems to be (and correct me if I'm wrong) that because you have stated a disbelief in something then the onus is on the other party to 'prove' there case.
A bit like someone who believes in God having to prove it rather than an atheist have to disprove it.
However, free will is different isn't it. Whether it is truly free or not it is most certainly something that everyone experiences and therefore, in whatever form, be it illusion or other actually exists.
But the illusion is not remotely reason to believe that it is ACTUALLY true. That would be circular reasoning. Belief in free will is not evidence of the TRUTH of free will.
Quote:So, your original statement which was "I don't believe in free will" must have the emphasis on free as in this instance the word 'will' simply means to choose and even you would agree that choices are made in our lives. You simply don't believe that it is yourself who consciously decides.Correct.
Quote:It would be more accurate to say instead that "you believe that free will is an illusion." If this, as I hope I have demonstrated, is what you are actually saying then the burdon of evidence is upon you to proove your case.
No it isn't. The illusion of free will is there in the sense that people merely BELIEVE it. That is not remotely evidence. That would be circular reasoning. I need reason to actually believe the TRUTH of this, that free will actually IS so...I need evidence.
The burden of proof if on anyone - is on you. It's on those who believe in it. The fact people believe it cannot be evidence to support the TRUTH of what they believe because that's circular reasoning...
What ACTUAL reason to believe is there?
EvF
