(February 9, 2012 at 3:07 pm)Rhythm Wrote: @Genk, so, not graded, but only reached after certain level? That's a difficult idea to comprehend....Something that has no "grades" but is determined by "levels". How have you determined that some animals have free will and some do not if the criteria have not yet been established btw?
Picture it like the concept of threshold energy in chemistry. Two chemicals require a certain minimum amount of energy to react. While heating up the chemicals, you are gradually increasing their energy level, but the reaction takes place only after a particular level is reached.
The gradation in consciousness across species can be considered sinilar to that. Free-will cannot occur upto a certain level of consciousness and is possible only after that level is reached.
(February 9, 2012 at 3:07 pm)Rhythm Wrote: (*In case you were wondering I'm of the opinion that free will is just something we've made up, (criteria created to suit a conclusion already reached))
The theistic concept of "free-will" does not sit well with me. There is too much spiritual mumbo-jumbo tied to it. I prefer the capacity to make rational choices or volition. What is your opinion on that?
