Is "free will" an illusion?

Question

First of all, the concept of religious predestination leads to absurdities. My question above is not religious, it is philosophical with religious implications.

"There is what we might call a supernatural origin of my unique self-consciousness mind or my unique selfhood or soul." Sir John Eccles

Books by John C. Eccles

How the Self Controls Its Brain
Evolution of the brain : creation of the self
The understanding of the brain
Mind and brain : the many-faceted problems: selected reading
The Cerebellum as a Neuronal Machine
Nobel Prize conversations with Sir John Eccles
Facing reality: philosophical adventures by a brain scientist
Evolution of the brain : creation of the self

If "free will" is real, then soul exists. We all think we have free will, yet, do we? Certainly genetics, experience, and biochemistry affect how we feel and what we do. Is that all there is? Can we break the bonds of pure cause and effect in our mental processes? How can this be shown?

Answer 1

I have free will. I ate much to much turkey and dressing. For me to lose the extra weight than I am going to have to cut down on my calories. At night it is the hardest to diet. My brain tells me that I am hungry and I need to eat. My free will, or willpower, say that I must not eat. I have to tell my brain that I am not going to eat.

If I don't diet the right way, I can hamper my efforts. My brain will perceive that it has less food and will slow down my metabolism. Thus making it harder to lose pounds. I want my brain to feel like it needs to increase my metabolism so I need to eat often. If I eat a lot of fruits and veggies than my brain knows there is food. If I eat the right foods, like grapefruit, the brain will increase my metabolism because grapefruit is harder to digest.

My soul is dictating to my brain what I want it to do. I love it. I have always known that I had a soul, but never knew how to prove it. This makes perfect sense and everyone can relate to willpower to some degree.

Answer 2

The base conflict between the works of Einstein, Bohr and everything before them is in the use of statistics and chance to explain reactions. The statistical world of quantum mechanics and cosmology runs totally contrary to the deterministic view held by Newton. In Newtons rigid and predictable universe you would be able to predict the outcome of every reaction over time, like calling all the shots on a pool table from a perfect break. The Church fought free will when it recognized the conflict it created in the catechism of the divine creation of a clockwork universe and how it relegated God to the position of a divine clockmaker.
I think Eccles argues from the point of view of a dterministic universe. The shift to a quantum view of things is a complete paradigm shift that few of us will ever complete.

Answer 3

Free will describes the ability to "save oneself" through individual choice, and Calvinism says that this is not possible since we are tainted with sin, with original sin condemning us before the age of reason.

This is not to say that predestination means controlling our every move, although the Bible does show events that occur as a result of God's sovereignty, rather than man's will one way or another -- through the Lord's "hardening" of Pharaoh's heart, for example.

I believe God's power is more extensive than we realize, which does indeed make free will an illusion, although I doubt if it's to the extent that you've given in your post.

Answer 4

it variety of appears like that's to me. If God is on correct of problems with each and every thing and lives circumstances and activities are the way they are by way of divine plan then he also ought to comprehend with the help of that divine plan that those circumstances he ordained will make people confirm judgements. So rather it in simple terms appears like we've loose will yet from God's standpoint we do not. it rather is particularly how i look at it besides. what's not difficulty-free for me to entice close is the concept that you're absolutely a real Christian in case you at the instantaneous are not "luke warmth" and also you completely shop on with Jesus' instructions. How did you comprehend when you're luke-warmth or warm? How did you comprehend when you're following the instructions properly; are you able to be rather particular that your interpretation of the Bible is the right one? What even if it isn't, does that make you luke-warmth?

Answer 5

"free will" is an illusion, yes. The term "free will " is most often used to describe a person's ability to make choices, and preform actions based on particular desires, but there is more to the nature of "will" than decision making. Will is a force, innate in all things, it's something we utilize, not something that we posses, any limitations in the utilization of will are self imposed.

Answer 6

I think the case of the Senator who voted NOT to impeach Andrew Johnson speaks highly for the case of Free Will.

Answer 7

Free will is not an illusion it is something real, perhaps the only thing that is real in this world.

Our "free will "and our concept of "being" and our concept of "realty" are one and the same thing.

Whether our "free will" will con tinue to exist after death? Whether there is a soul or not? I don't know...

Answer 8

Yes, free will is an illusion..even the Bible says so; though, many cannot believe it.

Act 9:15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

Rom 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor?

2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
2Ti 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor.

Isa 29:16 Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?

(Jer 18:6) O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
(Jer 18:7) At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it;

Joh 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Answer 9

I do not believe we have free will. I am not certain that I can take on the task but try to give me something I couldn't come up with a cause for.

Answer 10

I am using my free will to say - WTF?

Yes, everyone has free will.

Your free will is blocking my answer because it is opposite of your free will mind set.
Why would people feel regret if there was no free will?
Why are people looking for "themselves" if not for free will. If they are puppets then everyone would be content in who they are.