Free Will (115)

3 Name: Anonymous Scientist : 2007-02-20 21:35 ID:NK6j9axv

>>2

I'm not familiar with Nozick's thermostat example, could you provide a link?

You're still making a leap of logic though. You are reasoning as though the concept of self is different from and not dependent on the same matter and laws of physics that your brain is.

>I have beliefs and desires.

Agreed.

>I consciously assess various ideas for what action to take, according to my goals, beliefs and desires

Agreed, somewhat. You have the apperance of doing this, in your mind you are weighing benefits of outcomes, etc. But even this process is governed by the laws of physics acting on the particles that make up your mind.

>I come to a conclusion, the decision is now made

You have the feeling of having made a decision, but in reality this is the only outcome that could have possibly occured. Because the particles of your mind that are involved in all the decision making are still governed by the laws of physics your final "decision" is no more a product of choice than one ball striking another on a pool table. The interactions of the particles of your mind and the balls on the table are all governed by the same laws of physics, and nothing can change that.

Now I suppose if you believed in an immaterial soul/consciousness that somehow affected the material parts of your brain so that they were not ultimately just balls on a table, then free will is a possibility. But if you believe that, then you also have to accept the possibility of telekinesis and telepathy (your immaterial mind affecting the material world.)

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