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Author Topic:   Biological Reduction and Free Will
Ben!
Member (Idle past 1429 days)
Posts: 1161
From: Hayward, CA
Joined: 10-14-2004


Message 1 of 31 (170343)
12-21-2004 5:12 AM



Relevant threads:
Christianity and free will has been explored here and here. Free will in general was explored here, but not in depth, and without clear direction. I'd like to make a very clear direction; if this belongs in one of the other threads, let me know.
Background:
In the thread My position explained,
Wounded King writes:
Science has no problem acknowledging that the concept of choice exists
Now I don't mean in any way to be attacking Wounded King, and I believe I've taken his quote in context (let me know if not). However, it is his statement that precipitated this thread proposal.
Topic:
The question I want to explore here is, for those who believe in evolution, the reduction of all processes to "natural" processes (including the mind).
What do you believe about free will? Can science really resolve the notion of free will with that of the biological reduction of "self" ?
As for my own position, I think the answer is, there is no resolving them; free will is only apparent. I am prepared listen to thoughts on the subject, but some I have heard before. There is one in particular I thought I should mention--the position position that believes that non-determinism in quantum mechanics somehow saves the notion of free will.
I'm really interested to know what thoughts are out there!
Thanks!
Ben

Replies to this message:
 Message 3 by PaulK, posted 12-21-2004 9:35 AM Ben! has not replied
 Message 4 by Parasomnium, posted 12-21-2004 9:37 AM Ben! has not replied
 Message 5 by Wounded King, posted 12-21-2004 10:29 AM Ben! has not replied
 Message 7 by contracycle, posted 12-21-2004 10:42 AM Ben! has not replied
 Message 23 by Hangdawg13, posted 12-27-2004 12:01 AM Ben! has not replied

  
Ben!
Member (Idle past 1429 days)
Posts: 1161
From: Hayward, CA
Joined: 10-14-2004


Message 27 of 31 (171766)
12-27-2004 5:04 PM
Reply to: Message 26 by Parasomnium
12-27-2004 4:25 PM


Re: Bumping for Ben
Hi Parsimonium,
My views are right in line with yours. I worded my OP poorly on my last edit before submission--what I meant to say is, PLEASE DON'T argue for quantum determinacy for saving free will; I've heard that one and it does nothing for me.
There's one thing that you didn't mention, but only because it wasn't necessary. But just to try and add SOMETHING here :
You and I agree that free will is apparent, but given the premises that we accept, it is not "true." However, it IS apparent, and we DO NOT have the information available at our fingertips (and maybe in principle cannot have that information, if it is too great to determine within a "reasonable" finite amount of time). So... yeah, there's no free will, but there's every reason to ACT like there is one. In fact, I would argue (like you, I would suspect) that the APPEARANCE of free will (and acting accordingly) is important in survival.
Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner.
Ben

This message is a reply to:
 Message 26 by Parasomnium, posted 12-27-2004 4:25 PM Parasomnium has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 28 by Parasomnium, posted 12-28-2004 12:24 PM Ben! has not replied

  
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