Do you believe in free will?

[NoMoreFaith]

Here’s a question to put your theory to the test. If you and I agree on what blue looks like does the object it’s describing that make someone else seeing it as gray any less real?

Blue can be measured in wavelengths of light. It can be objectively measured and defined as the property of light at a certain wavelength. How you perceive it is irrelevant, it is still blue, no matter how your brain interprets the signal. Any confusion on the matter is a physical flaw in perception, rather than the concept of blue.

I think you assume that causal determinism is a natural law, and that we’re trying to say we’re apart from those laws. I’m not saying that. I’m saying that part of who we are is our perception and desires. Those desires and perceptions are both outputs and inputs to the causal chain and if they can be shown to be altered, shows we have the ability to not be the sum of physiologically are determined to be.

Beautifully put, and clear. My current discussion with Genkaus (once we finish sniping over definitions) is based upon the concept that our ideas, motivations, plans, originate at a level beyond our perception, which are merely then justified.
An example of which would be the decision to ask someone to marry you. The underlying reasoning for this decision is largely hidden in complexities of conditioning and biological needs, and surrounded in metaphysical, but "unreal" concepts of love.
Sadly, I am not a neuroscientist, so I am willing to accept what the studies indicate. We may not be measuring the right thing, who knows.

Studies show that those who read a document stating determinism is a proven fact show the recipients act in a far less moral manner afterwards, which is why, early on in this thread, that while I believe my views, its best to simply not think about it too much! I don't want to be this way, I simply see no evidence to the contrary beyond private conviction, which I think anyone should be hesitant to trust implicitly.

Going back to your point, since I'm wandering, I do not divorce the psychological from the physiological. XKCD has a great little cartoon about it; http://xkcd.com/435/
In take it to extremes, in the long run, if we were more holistic and a million times more cognitively able, we probably wouldn't have a distinction between psychology and mathematics.

One thing I will say, is that I hope I'm wrong. Its awfully depressing, if true.

EDIT: Judging by the conversation above, this is quickly entering an level of discussion, I'm not too proud to admit goes beyond me. I think I may have to join Norfolk on the sidelines now!!