(February 11, 2014 at 8:56 pm)whateverist Wrote: I think the word "will" itself is the part most in need of defining. I don't think anyone can quite say how exactly they will anything. We're able to move as we 'will' while plants cannot. We raise our arm but can we provide instructions to someone else to do the same? Weird idea.To me, "will" is better defined by the ability NOT to do things when the unconscious or instinct parts of the mind are strongly motivated to do them.
For example, if I'm freezing, every part of my instinct will tell me how nice and warm that snowbank looks, and how I should just take a comfy nap for a second. I'm only really aware of my mortality on an intellectual level-- no adrenaline or fight/flight or anything like that is triggering. Later, I'd probably refer to that as a "will to live."
Another example is with exercise. In trying to set a mile time, my legs will be rubber, and my lungs will be on fire, and I so very much want to just slow down a little. But despite all the pain, I just keep those legs moving anyway. I'd definitely say that's will-- I can't imagine that any other animal than people would be able to do that.
