Do you believe in Free Will?

1. 81

   ptosisposted 15 years ago

   I believe in Free Will - I must. Is Free will an Illusion?  Contracausal free will does  not make sense - so relax. read more

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2. 73

   David Stoneposted 15 years ago

   Actually, I addressed that in my book, A Million Different Things, after giving it a lot of thought.
   
   We do, for a couple of common sense reasons. First, there is no reason why we would need to invent this illusion. Evolution would never have bothered to waste creativity for something with no survival or reproductive value.
   
   Second, and this is more subtle, but the main reason to believe we have it is because we think we do. Can you imagine inventing such an abstract concept with nothing to go on?
   
   A final reason that is hard to describe and get a grasp on is infinite regress. If that isn't ourselves watching and deciding, who is it and who is watching him, her or it and forever on end. You simply can't get to a place where no one is making choices.  I understand scientists arguments but am not convinced. Buying what they are selling is, to me, tantamount to believing in Santa Claus. As I explained in my article about science and religion being partners in crime, both are in the business of reducing humans to finite, controllable, measurable entities. The declaration of our having no free will is just another unfortunate step in that direction.

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3. 67

   McConnell Groupposted 15 years ago

   where would we be with out it? I am not sure we would have the advancements we do without it

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4. 68

   Diane Insideposted 15 years ago

   Of course we do that's a silly question, If we did not could a person get blamed for hurting somebody. If I were  to kill you, could I say, no I did not choose to do that I do not have free will. Its just another way somebody has come up with to not have to account for their own actions.

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5. 60

   Jaggedfrostposted 15 years ago

   He chooses  she chooses  they choose  even it chooses  all ripples in the water  waves make trouble   splashing each other  The lake itself would wish to be calm  and will make waves of its own  to negate them all  Even the sky  with hale and rain ... read more

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6. 0

   Chasukposted 15 years ago

   "Free will" is either possible in the universe, or it isn't. If I have it, then which creatures don't? Does my cat? Does a pigeon? Does a grasshopper? Does an amoeba? If a grasshopper doesn't have it, then why not? Is its existence in one creature versus another based on biology? Some of us assume its existance in humans, but does it exist when humans are still zygotes? Does it stop existing when we fall into a vegetative state?
   
   i can't answer whether we have it until I understand what it is enough to be able to answer all of the above questions.

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7. 60

   wilmiers77posted 15 years ago

   We have free will to the extent of the nature of the discipline in which our endeavors are directed. To achieve an objective we must play the rules that has previously been established prior to human intervention. So, we have the free will to make a multitudes of decisions in order to achieve our objective, but for success we are strictly limited to a few or mostly one correct decision or a series of correct decisions. These correct decisions has been previously determined by the prior rules of the discipline. We are freely exercising our free will in order to discover what has already been determined. In a religious or philosophical sense, we live our lives so that we learn some things that our Creator already knows. I call this qua variant, the states and the variant of the states is immutable.
   
   Don't worry humanist, God gives partial credit for trying in order for us all to have a good life.

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8. 77

   schoolgirlforrealposted 15 years ago

   This is a tough question when you try and factor in everything.
   Yes, I believe we have free will to choose and do good or bad. Of course we may not be able to WILL becoming rich although many say if we do, and we try, we can make it happen
   
   As far as FATE or the PLAN is concerned, I think "God" has a part in the plan; but each individual makes THEIR choices.
   
   Of course, all you'd have to do to see my 'opinion' is read church dogma or rules.  I go by it but it makes sense also.  Please see my hub on (a very logical and intelligent man...) curious to your thoughts on that one.

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9. 0

   jasper420posted 15 years ago

   yes i do i think god gave us free will and we used it to our advatage this is why the world is the way it is now

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10. 61

    Dave Mathewsposted 15 years ago

    Of course everyone has free will, the right to choose. As a Christian my choices are influenced by good or evil but I have the absolute right to choose for myself, the path I will take.
    
    Dave.

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11. 81

    ptosisposted 15 years ago

    To Dave Matthews & jasper420:
    Two forms of theological determinism exist. The first one accepts that humans have free will to choose their actions, holding that God, whilst knowing their actions before they happen, does not affect the outcome. The other form, known as "Hard Theological Determinism", holds that free will does not exist, and God has absolute control over a person's actions.  - wiki
    
    
    TO: McConnell Group  - so Evolution has a free will. Are we controlled by our genes?

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12. 81

    ptosisposted 14 years ago

    Do you believe in Free Will?
    
    BTW: Random chaotic chances are not free will....

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