RE: Is Moral Responsibility Compatible With Determinism?
May 30, 2019 at 9:19 am
(This post was last modified: May 30, 2019 at 9:19 am by vulcanlogician.)
(May 30, 2019 at 8:07 am)Alan V Wrote:(May 30, 2019 at 7:47 am)vulcanlogician Wrote: Complexity of a thing, whether it be a brain or a bird's wing, in no way allows it to circumvent the laws of nature or be a cause unto itself.
How in the world could a bird flying or a human brain circumvent the laws of nature? Nothing circumvents the laws of nature, but I assert that determinism is NOT one of those laws. Determinism is a property and properties change with complexity. You underestimate what's possible with materialism.
Determinism isn't a property. It's a metaphysical theory. I think you mean "the laws of cause and effect." The laws of cause and effect are presumed by all the sciences. If you take issue with those, then you agree with this guy. But most of us don't agree with that guy (at least as far as his ideas about causation go). Hence, determinism seems very plausible to some of us.
In metaphysics, you seldom get a clear, cut-and-dried answer with anything. Therefore, the best way to approach them is to try to understand each side of the argument as deeply as you can. From there, try to pick a theory which you find most likely.
