Why do you believe in freewill when freewill is a paradox?

Question

There are multiple definitions of freewill but it is a paradox if it states we are accountable for what choice we make.

We are not. I can only learn from what is available to me and I cannot choose what is available to me. We have the ability to choose but only within a confined context. The fact that we do not choose the level of confinement means our ability to choose is left at the whim of the confinement, something we did not have control over to begin with thus accountability is a logical fallacy.

Even if God created us on the spot 6,000 years and people established law and order, the next generation would still lack the freewill to decide whether or not they learned from the system because they did not choose the confined context. A man cannot choose what he desires. Desire comes from the confined context whether it is social interaction or genes.

I never said we don't have freedom of choice. I'm saying we don't have accountability.

Now what's the point of not believing in freewill? It takes away your hate. Once you realize everything follows its natural course, there's nothing to hate.

Hate is just another result of a decision-making process constructed by social interaction.

Answer 1

Yes you do have choices and if you want to look at it like the rules are already set that's fine but you still have the choice to abide by them or not. which ever way you go you still have to be willing to accept the consequences of your choices, good or bad. Nobody forces you follow it's a choice you make.

Answer 2

Good one!

You sound like you are smart enough to grasp that the only logical fallacies are your own.

First of all, why not believe in a paradox? That's usually where truth lies. (Get the paradoxical pun?)

"Only within a confined context"? Come on! That's where you contradict yourself (sorry, it's not a paradox, just a contradiction), and, of course, where you choose to ignore the evidence that suggests you are wrong. And wrong again in "not choosing the level of confinement."

The fact is, we have constant choice and therefore constant "free will." Of course, there are limitations. We can't choose not to die, but that hardly makes us any less free. Basically, what you've maintained is that if something is not absolute, it isn't at all. Seek out the grey area!

Answer 3

I think we all get caught up in believing that freewill alone will somehow deliver us with a plethora of options from which to choose. It is true our options would be confined if we lack the courage to choose that which may not be considered normal in the range of action. For instance a male has certain actions that are considered normal for his gender identity. It is not, however, imperative that he choose to perform only male actions. This is were we must add courage to free will. What is magnificent about free will is you have the ability not to choose at all. If faced with the decision of creating a bomb that would kill a million people or killing yourself you have the ability to make a true choice utilizing free will.

Answer 4

Freewill is still choice. No matter your circumstances you are still responsible for your choices that you make. I am all of who I am because of decision I have made. The key is that when I make a bad choice free will allows me to suffer the consequence and to learn from that choice to better myself. Choice is freewill no matter the confinement.

Answer 5

Say what? Did you smoke pot before writing that?

Yes, we have "free will." You can do whatever you like or choose to NOT act at any given time.

Whatever you do (or do not do), you are still subject to the laws of physics and time.

I am the captain of my own ship; the director of my own play. However, that being said, there are countless elements out there acting either "for" me or "against" me, over which I have no control. Some call it luck (as in "good" or "bad").

Deal with it.

You have free will.

What you DO with it - or about it - is up to you.

Answer 6

For me I have to refer to John Stuart Mill. It is our nature that forces us to believe in freewill. If we didn't we would fail to ever act in the first place which would cause major issues. If we didn't believe our actions had any effect how could we funtion at all. Not that it answers the the question but at least we can still function!

Answer 7

It is not paradox but it's a most convincing approach to understand the cause and the consequences of our actions. If we take out that than the rest becomes so simple and leaves nothing for us to do but join our hands in prayer our entire life. It doesn't makes any sense to rely one someone's mood for our salvation. The church is making it to simple to make it believable. It's like selling certificate for a place in heave. It entirely takes away the human effort to free himself from the bondage.

Answer 8

"The mind is not for thinking, the mind is for receiving thought." Imparted into my mind from God. There is but one will, Gods will, what you say is correct. But there is more. As long as you are doing your will you are responsible. If you become the witness, aware that the positive and negative thought are but Gods will divided by duality, Tell the mind (God) I choose to think only positive, Good , loving & uplifting thoughts. ignore negative thought,choose positive thought as choosing to do the will of God,let go the idea of "YOUR WILL", then you are no longer the doer, it is the father within who doeth the work. Eventually you will become one with God in unconditional love, losing the sense of separate self altogether, ignoring thought, simply knowing an doing gods will. "God dwells within you as you"

Answer 9

We are fully accountable for all of our choices within the parameters set out by the laws of nature. Since we are part of society, all of the limitations imposed by it are our responsibility as well.

Hate is a choice. You are accountable.

Answer 10

very nice. Your point? Predestination perhaps?