From a simplified physics standpoint:
a) With deterministic physical laws we can determine the state of any system from: 1. Starting parameters and 2. The physicals laws. So everything that happens is as a result of the starting conditions of the big bag, and therefore everything that happens has already been pre-determined. This would imply no free will, as well as the ability to predict the future perfectly.
b) However it is though that QM means that we cannot deduce the state of a system from the starting parameters and the physical laws (though we can determine probabilities). Slight quantum fluctuations just after the big bang led to the structures we see today in the universe. This implies that free will is not ruled out due to a), but it still doesn't mean it actually exists.
It all boils down to whether we can choose to do something different, or whether we are just doing something different due to the fact we are say 1% likely to do option A, and 99% likely to do option B (non deterministic probabilities). All this is why I gave the computer example. I could change the question slightly to:
"Could I theoretically program a computer with free will?"
My answer would be yes if humans have free will, since I could theoretically perfectly model a human brain.
a) With deterministic physical laws we can determine the state of any system from: 1. Starting parameters and 2. The physicals laws. So everything that happens is as a result of the starting conditions of the big bag, and therefore everything that happens has already been pre-determined. This would imply no free will, as well as the ability to predict the future perfectly.
b) However it is though that QM means that we cannot deduce the state of a system from the starting parameters and the physical laws (though we can determine probabilities). Slight quantum fluctuations just after the big bang led to the structures we see today in the universe. This implies that free will is not ruled out due to a), but it still doesn't mean it actually exists.
It all boils down to whether we can choose to do something different, or whether we are just doing something different due to the fact we are say 1% likely to do option A, and 99% likely to do option B (non deterministic probabilities). All this is why I gave the computer example. I could change the question slightly to:
"Could I theoretically program a computer with free will?"
My answer would be yes if humans have free will, since I could theoretically perfectly model a human brain.
