(December 26, 2012 at 1:45 am)Jaxl Wrote: In the context of atheism, is there such a thing as free will?
Free will has nothing to do with atheism, because atheism does not equal scientific scepticism. However, if you're a scientific sceptic, then the concept of free will should appear to be impossible.
(December 26, 2012 at 1:45 am)Jaxl Wrote: Or are all decisions made simply the result of neurons, dendrites, action potentials, and molecules bouncing around in my head?
If there is no free will, does this mean all actions committed are simply reactions to what has occurred around you rather than an actual conscious decision to do something?
Yes, that's pretty much it. Sam Harris, a neurologist, writer and debater, has written books and done several talks regarding free will, I highly recommend checking him out.
Here's a great talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCofmZlC72g
(December 26, 2012 at 3:29 am)Zen Badger Wrote: Since the actions of emergent systems can never be accurately modelled there is always room for random chance.
As an emergent system the mind is capable of random and therefore unpredictable actions.
Therefore freewill exists.
I don't understand your process of thought.
Unpredictable actions does not equal free will, it can at best dismiss some rather strict defintion of determinism. Most advocates of determinism today accept that there could be random occurrences in a brain, as a supplement of strict determinism.
