Free Will Debate

[polymath257]

Why would that be desirable? I *want* my decisions to be based on my experiences (outside events affecting me). It would be exceedingly strange if they were not.

Most likely, that small difference in my brain that 'decided' is the result great number of previous events, both inside and outside of my brain. No single one of them would be enough for a different decision, most likely. Those previous influences had to come together to affect the activity of my brain for the decision to happen.

In other words, both external and internal events affect my decisions. Duh.

I make no judgements regarding whether that is desirable.  I only ask whether that could be true.

regarding both external and internal events affect your decision.   does the doc-called internal event truly have any significant freedom to transpire differently resulting in different decisions if all external events remain the same?   if not, then there is no real internal events, only intermediate effects of external events.

it is possible the brain magnifies the chaotic nature of how decision responds to subtle changes to external events.   but other things can also magnify the chaotic nature of how effects of external events impinges on your brain.   Also, a macroscopic chaotic system is still in most cases essentially deterministic.

I *all* external events were *exactly* the same, including *all* events prior to my conception, and *all* events leading up to that decision, then no, I don't think I would make a different decision: I would be exactly the same, with the same desires and beliefs, same opportunities, and same prejudices, and so would *expect* to make the same decision.

If I *could* make a different decision, that would seem quite strange given I would be exactly the same either way.

---

It seems that people frame 'free will' in a way that requires it to be an 'uncaused cause'. Is that seriously what people mean by 'free will'?

---

So, once again, what is the significance of the adjective 'free' in this context? The decision was 'made by me' in that the *decision* was an event in *my* brain. I based that decision on my experiences, desires, thoughts, etc. How is that *not* free?

what meaning is there in “made by me” if there is no possibility of your making a different decision under each circumstance?

That the significant information processing occurred in my brain. In other words, by me.

Once again, is the definition of 'free will' such that it requires the decision be an uncaused cause?