(October 1, 2012 at 10:16 pm)Tino Wrote:Our laws and the survival of the species require the removal of or adaptation to obstacles, but the instigator is no more responsible for their actions than a tiger on a rampage. The tiger is not at fault, but it still needs to be taken down. Just because a murderer is not 'technically' responsible for their actions, that does not lessen the impact on the survival of the species.(October 1, 2012 at 10:04 pm)IATIA Wrote: Technically, no.Why did you qualify it with "technically"?
(October 1, 2012 at 10:16 pm)Tino Wrote:A higher intelligence has given us a higher awareness than other species which allows more sophisticated communication. The downside to this awareness, is that we believe that we have control, whereas we have no more control than a wasp nest or ant colony.(October 1, 2012 at 10:04 pm)IATIA Wrote: Intelligence has allowed us to modify our existence by establishing goals. ... but the overall success of our species shows out intelligence to be an effective survival tool.What does intelligence mean in the absence of free will? Isn't intelligence inextricably tied to sensing and choosing, deciding and taking action? If our will isn't free, what good is being intelligent? How does intelligence help our species survive if the actions we ultimately take aren't based on our free decisions, but rather some non-free-will mechanism?
(October 1, 2012 at 10:16 pm)Tino Wrote: IATIA, are you a non-free-willer, and if so, I'm wondering about my earlier question - do you hold people accountable for their actions?I flip off idiots in traffic. I have found, that no matter how hard I try, I am unable to not feel the frustrations involved. I am incapable of defying my body. I personally hold persons responsible for their actions, whether good or bad, but again, I am totally incapable of defying these feelings.
You make people miserable and there's nothing they can do about it, just like god.
-- Homer Simpson
God has no place within these walls, just as facts have no place within organized religion.
-- Superintendent Chalmers
Science is like a blabbermouth who ruins a movie by telling you how it ends. There are some things we don't want to know. Important things.
-- Ned Flanders
Once something's been approved by the government, it's no longer immoral.
-- The Rev Lovejoy
-- Homer Simpson
God has no place within these walls, just as facts have no place within organized religion.
-- Superintendent Chalmers
Science is like a blabbermouth who ruins a movie by telling you how it ends. There are some things we don't want to know. Important things.
-- Ned Flanders
Once something's been approved by the government, it's no longer immoral.
-- The Rev Lovejoy
