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Author Topic:   God's judgement and Determinism
New Cat's Eye
Inactive Member


Message 31 of 106 (442253)
12-20-2007 4:40 PM


It seems that our conciousness, self awareness, and ability to foresee possible outcomes to our actions, removes the determinism from those actions and puts the choice into our own hands. In other words, consciousness allows for free will.

Replies to this message:
 Message 32 by The Agnostic, posted 12-20-2007 5:15 PM New Cat's Eye has replied

  
The Agnostic
Member (Idle past 5954 days)
Posts: 36
From: Netherlands
Joined: 12-17-2007


Message 32 of 106 (442270)
12-20-2007 5:15 PM
Reply to: Message 31 by New Cat's Eye
12-20-2007 4:40 PM


quote:
It seems that our conciousness, self awareness, and ability to foresee possible outcomes to our actions, removes the determinism from those actions and puts the choice into our own hands. In other words, consciousness allows for free will. It seems that our conciousness, self awareness, and ability to foresee possible outcomes to our actions, removes the determinism from those actions and puts the choice into our own hands. In other words, consciousness allows for free will.
That sounds logical, but I'm inclined to believe that the materialistic world influences consciousness, rather than the other way around. You can prove this for yourself in a small thought-experiment.
Just imagine drinking 5 glasses of alcohol and how it would affect your judgement. Clearly, the physical alcohol determines your mental judgement.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 31 by New Cat's Eye, posted 12-20-2007 4:40 PM New Cat's Eye has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 34 by New Cat's Eye, posted 12-20-2007 5:25 PM The Agnostic has replied

  
The Agnostic
Member (Idle past 5954 days)
Posts: 36
From: Netherlands
Joined: 12-17-2007


Message 33 of 106 (442272)
12-20-2007 5:17 PM
Reply to: Message 30 by ringo
12-20-2007 4:36 PM


quote:
As I already said, you can think of God's judgement as a debugging process. Whether He knows what's going on in every machine cycle is irrelevant. The judgement is based on the overall performance of the program. If it doesn't produce good results, it gets deleted.
I find that an interesting thought. It would in a sense allow for God to be able to have a ground for judging people. I still wonder, though, how is it fair towards the unlucky people who are considered poorly functioning programs? What have they done to deserve that predicate?

This message is a reply to:
 Message 30 by ringo, posted 12-20-2007 4:36 PM ringo has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 35 by ringo, posted 12-20-2007 5:32 PM The Agnostic has replied

  
New Cat's Eye
Inactive Member


Message 34 of 106 (442279)
12-20-2007 5:25 PM
Reply to: Message 32 by The Agnostic
12-20-2007 5:15 PM


That sounds logical, but I'm inclined to believe that the materialistic world influences consciousness, rather than the other way around. You can prove this for yourself in a small thought-experiment.
Just imagine drinking 5 glasses of alcohol and how it would affect your judgement. Clearly, the physical alcohol determines your mental judgement.
If my consciousess doesn't influence that material world, then how are those glasses of alcohol going to get drank?
This doesn't mean that the materistic world has no influence, tho.
You really, honestly, think that whether or not I decide to drink those 5 glasses was predetermined before I considered it?

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 Message 32 by The Agnostic, posted 12-20-2007 5:15 PM The Agnostic has replied

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 Message 36 by The Agnostic, posted 12-20-2007 5:51 PM New Cat's Eye has not replied

  
ringo
Member (Idle past 433 days)
Posts: 20940
From: frozen wasteland
Joined: 03-23-2005


Message 35 of 106 (442283)
12-20-2007 5:32 PM
Reply to: Message 33 by The Agnostic
12-20-2007 5:17 PM


The Agnostic writes:
I still wonder, though, how is it fair towards the unlucky people who are considered poorly functioning programs? What have they done to deserve that predicate?
It isn't a question of "deserving" anything. It's only about results.
If somebody is incompetent at his job, for no fault of his own, does he "deserve" to be fired?
It doesn't matter.

Disclaimer: The above statement is without a doubt, the most LUDICROUS, IDIOTIC AND PERFECT EXAMPLE OF WILLFUL STUPIDITY, THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN OR HEARD.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 33 by The Agnostic, posted 12-20-2007 5:17 PM The Agnostic has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 37 by The Agnostic, posted 12-20-2007 5:54 PM ringo has replied

  
The Agnostic
Member (Idle past 5954 days)
Posts: 36
From: Netherlands
Joined: 12-17-2007


Message 36 of 106 (442302)
12-20-2007 5:51 PM
Reply to: Message 34 by New Cat's Eye
12-20-2007 5:25 PM


quote:
You really, honestly, think that whether or not I decide to drink those 5 glasses was predetermined before I considered it?
Yes.
quote:
If my consciousess doesn't influence that material world, then how are those glasses of alcohol going to get drank?
Your consciousness influences the material world in the sense that it is part of the material world. It is produced by neuron firings.
Edited by The Agnostic, : Additional quote.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 34 by New Cat's Eye, posted 12-20-2007 5:25 PM New Cat's Eye has not replied

  
The Agnostic
Member (Idle past 5954 days)
Posts: 36
From: Netherlands
Joined: 12-17-2007


Message 37 of 106 (442306)
12-20-2007 5:54 PM
Reply to: Message 35 by ringo
12-20-2007 5:32 PM


quote:
If somebody is incompetent at his job, for no fault of his own, does he "deserve" to be fired?
It doesn't matter.
I can see that point. But wouldn't it be immoral (unfair?) for God to create a universe in which certain people are predetermined to become incompetent individuals and therefore be judged?
Why is one soul born in a good body, and another in a bad one?

This message is a reply to:
 Message 35 by ringo, posted 12-20-2007 5:32 PM ringo has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 38 by ringo, posted 12-20-2007 6:10 PM The Agnostic has not replied

  
ringo
Member (Idle past 433 days)
Posts: 20940
From: frozen wasteland
Joined: 03-23-2005


Message 38 of 106 (442319)
12-20-2007 6:10 PM
Reply to: Message 37 by The Agnostic
12-20-2007 5:54 PM


The Agnostic writes:
But wouldn't it be immoral (unfair?) for God to create a universe in which certain people are predetermined to become incompetent individuals and therefore be judged?
That's where we get into cartoony ideas about "omnipotence" again. Could god create a rock so heavy He couldn't lift it? Could He create a universe so perfect He didn't need to tweak it?
We have the universe we have. Why would it be immoral/unfair for God to get it running as smoothly as possible?

Disclaimer: The above statement is without a doubt, the most LUDICROUS, IDIOTIC AND PERFECT EXAMPLE OF WILLFUL STUPIDITY, THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN OR HEARD.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 37 by The Agnostic, posted 12-20-2007 5:54 PM The Agnostic has not replied

  
LucyTheApe
Inactive Member


Message 39 of 106 (442381)
12-20-2007 11:18 PM
Reply to: Message 11 by Larni
12-20-2007 2:23 PM


Re: Confusion
OK give me the dimensional analysis.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 11 by Larni, posted 12-20-2007 2:23 PM Larni has replied

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 Message 42 by Larni, posted 12-21-2007 1:29 PM LucyTheApe has not replied

  
Larni
Member (Idle past 185 days)
Posts: 4000
From: Liverpool
Joined: 09-16-2005


Message 40 of 106 (442493)
12-21-2007 1:23 PM
Reply to: Message 13 by ringo
12-20-2007 2:44 PM


Ringo writes:
How do you explain the people who do choose to bash the kiddie's head in?
Well I guess I could say that the boundaries that most people have on their behaviour when confronted with the type of stimulus that could drive one to this type of violence are not in place.
When people get too angry thay can have no self control at all which argues that when we are in a high state of emotion (without the learnt control methods or even with damage to the limbic system) we are not acting by violition.
Either way you cut it your emotions alter your behviour: is it enough to limit free will? My opinion is that it is.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 13 by ringo, posted 12-20-2007 2:44 PM ringo has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 41 by ringo, posted 12-21-2007 1:29 PM Larni has replied

  
ringo
Member (Idle past 433 days)
Posts: 20940
From: frozen wasteland
Joined: 03-23-2005


Message 41 of 106 (442496)
12-21-2007 1:29 PM
Reply to: Message 40 by Larni
12-21-2007 1:23 PM


Larni writes:
Either way you cut it your emotions alter your behviour: is it enough to limit free will? My opinion is that it is.
We're not talking about "limits" to free will though. We're talking about yes-or-no free will. The topic originator seems to be claiming that we have no free will because everything is governed by physics. I'm just saying that there are too many variables for "determinism" to have any real meaning. We still do have decisions that we not only can make but must make.

Disclaimer: The above statement is without a doubt, the most LUDICROUS, IDIOTIC AND PERFECT EXAMPLE OF WILLFUL STUPIDITY, THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN OR HEARD.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 40 by Larni, posted 12-21-2007 1:23 PM Larni has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 43 by Larni, posted 12-21-2007 2:02 PM ringo has not replied

  
Larni
Member (Idle past 185 days)
Posts: 4000
From: Liverpool
Joined: 09-16-2005


Message 42 of 106 (442497)
12-21-2007 1:29 PM
Reply to: Message 39 by LucyTheApe
12-20-2007 11:18 PM


Re: Confusion
Not sure exactly what you are looking for with a 'dimensional analysis'. Do you want me to do the analysis or do a lit review?
Sounds like a longitudinal study but could you clarify?

This message is a reply to:
 Message 39 by LucyTheApe, posted 12-20-2007 11:18 PM LucyTheApe has not replied

  
Larni
Member (Idle past 185 days)
Posts: 4000
From: Liverpool
Joined: 09-16-2005


Message 43 of 106 (442505)
12-21-2007 2:02 PM
Reply to: Message 41 by ringo
12-21-2007 1:29 PM


Ringo writes:
We're talking about yes-or-no free will.
Hm... I certainly would argue that a black or white yes or no is bogus.
Can you have a sliding scale of free will? I work sometimes with gambling addicts who seem to have no free will at all under certain conditions.
All of our actions are influenced by our thoughts/emotions/physiology and it may be that we have to draw an arbitary line where we say:
"this mode of thinking is sufficiently free or motivators/inhibtors (both external and internal) that we can call it 'free will'".
I think I have to agree with you that the number of variable is too large ever model behaviour in such a way that we could predict human behaviour to such an extent that we can assume free will is an illusion.
Does'nt half get my brain going thinking about it though

This message is a reply to:
 Message 41 by ringo, posted 12-21-2007 1:29 PM ringo has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 44 by The Agnostic, posted 12-21-2007 6:27 PM Larni has replied

  
The Agnostic
Member (Idle past 5954 days)
Posts: 36
From: Netherlands
Joined: 12-17-2007


Message 44 of 106 (442596)
12-21-2007 6:27 PM
Reply to: Message 43 by Larni
12-21-2007 2:02 PM


From your language I can make up that you have a background in psychology too
Anyway, what you seem to be saying is that behaviour is free when there aren't any obvious external motivators or inhibitions. But when they are not present, the behaviour apparently comes from some other place. My question for you is: Where does it come from and how does this source defy determinism?
Edited by The Agnostic, : Typo

This message is a reply to:
 Message 43 by Larni, posted 12-21-2007 2:02 PM Larni has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 46 by Larni, posted 12-22-2007 7:07 AM The Agnostic has replied

  
Taz
Member (Idle past 3313 days)
Posts: 5069
From: Zerus
Joined: 07-18-2006


Message 45 of 106 (442627)
12-22-2007 12:30 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by The Agnostic
12-20-2007 6:42 AM


The Agnostic writes:
I consider myself to be a genuine agnostic in this matter, believing there are convincing arguments both in favour and against both positions.
I'm curious. Are you also agnostic about Zeus, Apollo, Poseidon, etc.? What about the Buddha and other modern deities?
OFF TOPIC - Please Do Not Respond to this message by continuing in this vein.
Take comments concerning this warning to the Moderation Thread.
AdminPD
Edited by AdminPD, : Warning

Owing to the deficiency of the English language, I have occasionally used the academic jargon generator to produce phrases that even I don't fully understand. The jargons are not meant to offend anyone or to insult anyone's intelligence!

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by The Agnostic, posted 12-20-2007 6:42 AM The Agnostic has not replied

  
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