Of course as you know I am an Atheist. Still I believe in Mans Free Will. But It seems even with the Big Bang Theory and Evolution every event would be determined by a previous event so therefore how can there be Free Will? Can anyone help me with this? Or do we just not have free will?
2006-12-14 12:48:45 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Aquila, thank you very much I love your explanation. I must admit I don't understand anything about quantum physics or atomic particles but I accept it and will have to do some reading.
William r, your explanation makes no sense thanking would just be something else predetermined if everything else was. kisses Betty
2006-12-14 13:11:52 · update #1
Aquila, thank you very much I love your explanation. I must admit I don't understand anything about quantum physics or atomic particles but I accept it and will have to do some reading.
William r, your explanation makes no sense thanking would just be something else predetermined if everything else was. kisses Betty
2006-12-14 13:11:53 · update #2
So many of you have so many different explanations about the question of Free Will. I thank it is great and most of you are determined that we have it and so am I. I love you all and that is from my free will thank you, kisses Betty. The previous added details twice was not from my free will. I dont know why it happened. xx
2006-12-14 13:24:43 · update #3
According to standard physics there is no free will (since matter energy does what it has to do according to specific laws), however according to quantum physics (which is newer and far more advanced), there is free will because consciousness is not subject to the laws of physics. And here’s an example of how QP doesn’t care about the “laws of physics”… a single atomic particle can be in several places at the same time (the location of the particle depends on the observer), yes it’s strange but scientifically proven.
2006-12-14 13:00:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hmmmm. Assuming from the BBT and E hypothesis you mentioned, that all events are determined by previous events, then all motions in the universe are governed by brownian motions of atomic material, gravity, and inertia. All things, even thoughts and motions of "living" creatures, should simply "go with the flow". There should be only orbiting motions and random bouncing!
The simplest way to provide proof of "free will" in this system, then, is to find something going AGAINST the grain, AGAINST the flow, either mentally or physically or both.
Ultimately, you find yourself proclaiming "I doubt (think), therefore I am." Not bad company, that. Free will exists in the place where a body goes against the stream, against gravity, without the brownian bump, and breaks intertia on its own.
2006-12-14 13:01:50 · answer #2 · answered by MamaBear 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of COURSE you have free will.
Just how do you rationalize the "Big Bang" and "Evolution" into some odd sort of future directing fate?
If every event can de determined by some previous event, then why can't you win all the time at roulette or in the stock market? It's called RANDOM, that's why.
Of course, you COULD delude yourself into believing that there's some sort of extremely complex prior events in play to force your actions/decisions.
That way, you can claim you have NO responsibility for your own actions. Sad way to live tho, don't you think?
2006-12-14 12:54:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I've thought about this a little bit too. If determinism is true then free will is nonexistent, it's 100% an illusion. Can the actions of the brain really be predicted based on what's effecting it at the moment though? On the molecular level, according to quantum mechanics, it can't be. I suggest you google "Heisenberg's uncertainty principle".
You might like this video too:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=_VxQuPBX1_U
2006-12-14 13:11:59 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We do have free will. I think people use "predestination" and terms like this as excuses for their poor behavior. Can anyone really believe that rapists and murderers have no choice but to do what they do?
People try to use the all-knowing power of God as evidence that people do not have free will. Why would we have the 10 Commandments and repentance from sin if we were just puppets to God?
God sent His only son to save us, not to include Him in His puppet show.
It is true that past events help shape future decisions, but I don't think its comprehensible to say that every present event is simply dictated by a past one. The human mind is too complex to be played with so easily. What would be the point in life if everything has just been sort of "snow-balling" since the Big-Bang? If past events dictated the present, could people predict the future? People are too unpredictible--I believe in free will.
2006-12-14 12:57:03 · answer #5 · answered by Tiffany 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Everything is not determined by a previous event, not even evolution. which is just adaption to the surroundings the organism happens to be in. We have free will, and we always will.Free will is nothing more than making choices. As long as you are capable of choice, you have free will.
2006-12-14 12:57:39 · answer #6 · answered by judy_r8 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Heisenberg's uncertainty principle. At the quantum level, the interactions of cause and effect are not entirely predictable. One you can say that one neuron may or may not fire under a set condition, the door is open to free will.
2006-12-14 17:39:33 · answer #7 · answered by novangelis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You seem to be confusing "free will" with having "absolutely nothing determining your decisions". All decisions are influenced by many factors: culture, upbringing, circumstances, personal preference, etc. What "free will" means is that a person has the ability to make his own decisions and then is responsible for that decision and its consequences. Of course there may be influences that you can let effect your decision. But that does not get rid of free will. Two people in identical situations can make different decisions. It is their decision, and they live with the results. That is all "free will" means.
2006-12-14 12:59:13 · answer #8 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Ah freewill=freedom to choose
Evolution is not = to freedom to choose since it is dependent upon other things to exist or to form into
Man=freewill since he is allowed to choose in spite of his creation he does not have to be dependent to survive the here and now and exist apart from His creator. With a cost in the next life of course. Although he is still able to make that choice
2006-12-14 13:04:14 · answer #9 · answered by maybe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have free will to the extent that when faced with things over which we HAVE a choice, we may use it.
If we jump off a roof, we can't choose not to fall down because of the law of gravity.
2006-12-14 12:54:13 · answer #10 · answered by nancy jo 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋