I'm saying that all our actions are entirely mechanical. So in that sense I don't believe in free will. And I argue that anyone who believes in 'free will' in the sense of believing that they can override this - is believing in an illusion: Free will in that sense is merely an illusion to those who believe it.
I would say that I could accept definitions of 'free will' such as how Dennet defines it...as "Avoidability" or "Evitability": But the important thing is there that our choices are still entirely mechanical by that definition; and by that definition it's entirely compatible with determinism!! (That's important to note...it's predetermined yet it's free will?) So I wouldn't call that free will...but the point is whether you call it free will or not - that doesn't stop our choices being mechanical. We need evidence to the contrary there.
And if all our choices and actions are entirely mechanical, whether the universe is deterministic or INdeterministic - I myself wouldn't say we have 'free will' this being the case.
So no, I'd say I don't believe in free will if I have to say. Any definitions I would accept (like Dennet's) I think are pointless and a bit confusing/misleading because so many people wouldn't call that 'free' (often unless they don't really get how that definition doesn't actually encompass what they believe it does!!). I think any other definition of 'free will' isn't really worthy, it's a nice thought - but I'd just call that freedom, responsibility - and the fact we have preferences and a 'will'....I'd say we have a 'Will' (of course: Our conscious intentions, ambitions, our drive, etc, etc) and I'd say we have freedom on the outside and our mental capabilities inside too: But I'd argue that we have freedom, we have will - but our will itself[ - isn't free. We can't override the mechanics of the universe which we are part of. All our choices are entirely mechanical.
I don't define 'free will'; I let others define it. I'm yet to see a definition I would feel satisfied with wanting to call 'Free Will'...and any 'Free Will' that is supposed to override what I believe is this entirely mechanical universe that we live in - I just don't believe exists: Because I know of no evidence for such a 'Free will'. Any other definition I have felt is unworthy though - and at times misleading. I can accept Dennet's definition of 'avoidability'; 'evitability', etc - but I wouldn't want to call that 'Free Will' as I said.
EvF
I would say that I could accept definitions of 'free will' such as how Dennet defines it...as "Avoidability" or "Evitability": But the important thing is there that our choices are still entirely mechanical by that definition; and by that definition it's entirely compatible with determinism!! (That's important to note...it's predetermined yet it's free will?) So I wouldn't call that free will...but the point is whether you call it free will or not - that doesn't stop our choices being mechanical. We need evidence to the contrary there.
And if all our choices and actions are entirely mechanical, whether the universe is deterministic or INdeterministic - I myself wouldn't say we have 'free will' this being the case.
So no, I'd say I don't believe in free will if I have to say. Any definitions I would accept (like Dennet's) I think are pointless and a bit confusing/misleading because so many people wouldn't call that 'free' (often unless they don't really get how that definition doesn't actually encompass what they believe it does!!). I think any other definition of 'free will' isn't really worthy, it's a nice thought - but I'd just call that freedom, responsibility - and the fact we have preferences and a 'will'....I'd say we have a 'Will' (of course: Our conscious intentions, ambitions, our drive, etc, etc) and I'd say we have freedom on the outside and our mental capabilities inside too: But I'd argue that we have freedom, we have will - but our will itself[ - isn't free. We can't override the mechanics of the universe which we are part of. All our choices are entirely mechanical.
I don't define 'free will'; I let others define it. I'm yet to see a definition I would feel satisfied with wanting to call 'Free Will'...and any 'Free Will' that is supposed to override what I believe is this entirely mechanical universe that we live in - I just don't believe exists: Because I know of no evidence for such a 'Free will'. Any other definition I have felt is unworthy though - and at times misleading. I can accept Dennet's definition of 'avoidability'; 'evitability', etc - but I wouldn't want to call that 'Free Will' as I said.
EvF
