Who out there believes that you get to decide what you do and what happens to you, and who believes that God, karma, or some other higher power dictates the flow of events throughout the universe? Why?
2007-01-17 08:01:44 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm an atheist.
I believe we have "free will", although it's clear that there are many, many influences on our lives.
2007-01-17 08:06:06 · answer #1 · answered by Samurai Jack 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Free will is merely an illusion caused by self-aware computation.
There are three possible modes of computation -- Neural Networks (like the brain), cellular automata (like Conways' "Game of Life"), and von Neumann machines (like your computer). All three types of computation can be provably computable via a Turing Machine, and as such, are in all ways computationally equivalent.
A turing machine consists of a memory ribbon and a read/write head. The read/write head exists in a state and based on its current state and the symbol on the tape where it is reading, will write a symbol (or not write, which is valid), will move one cell left or right on the ribbon, and move to a new state.
In short -- input + current state, process, output, where the inputs and current state are processed to produce an output that creates behavior and a change in state.
Unless there is a soul or a god, there is no free will. As there is no evidence of a soul or a god, there is no point in arguing for the existence of free will. It is too easily disproven without relying on 'miraculous intervension'.
Atheists who claim free will exists can do so only by invoking a miracle, otherwise the choices they make are purely computational and there is no 'will' to it. It bothers me to see my fellow atheists so close to the truth then use a miracle to justify their 'free will'.
The ability to make a choice is not the same as free will.
2007-01-17 08:06:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I feel that I can think for myself. I just stay out of trouble because I would not like to have a criminal record (it's not like I have ever had one). What I do is not based on what a majority of the population considers right or wrong. I just get by on a day-to-day basis, just like everyone else. The difference, though, is that I don't need a religion to guide me away from my good life. I'm happy with myself.
2007-01-17 08:05:46 · answer #3 · answered by Cold Fart 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dear garnickk,
Man does not have free will to choose the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. Man has the free will to choose what he eats, what he wears, etc but even these choices are dependent upon what your income is and where you live.
This universe is amazingly complex, but the LORD (Jesus) has everything working to fulfill His salvation plan. I do not have the space to explain this here but the LORD sets up rulers and kingdoms and events to progress His amazing salvation plan.
2007-01-17 08:33:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think there is such thing a free will. If there is a God (I'm not saying there is or isn't) but if there is I feel he/she would give all free will. Why, because everyone must be responsible for there actions. We make the choices in our lives and we must live with them
2007-01-17 08:15:52 · answer #5 · answered by B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe in God, I'm a Christian. I do believe in free will and that we dictate our own lives through our own thoughts in actions.
2007-01-17 08:05:11 · answer #6 · answered by Airborne Retired 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, free will is real. Think of it this way. God created us with free will so that we would have the knowledge of unconditional love for Him. It would've taken less than the snap of His fingers to totally perfect us, but with free will, we could experience the depth of His love for us and RECIPROCATE in kind! Imagine you had created a woman for your own pleasure but had not given her free will. You could snap your fingers, say"Come here and kiss me", and she would do so. But, it would be about as romantic as a dead fish because she wouldn't be able to reciprocate your feelings for her!
2007-01-17 09:49:09 · answer #7 · answered by bigvol662004 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In reality I can do what I want, but that doesn't mean I wont suffer any consequences. So the answer to your question is YES free will is real.
We cant MAKE anyone love us. Again YES free will is real.
2007-01-17 08:07:35 · answer #8 · answered by Cloud 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe you basically decide what you're going to do. The fact that there's a physical and naturalistic explanation doesn't mean that I don't have free will.
2007-01-17 08:07:16 · answer #9 · answered by STFU Dude 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The question of free will is meaningless. If it exists or not changes nothing. If it does, things go on as they have forever. If it does not, things go on as they have forever. With this given, I woud like to know the practical value of any question aboout free will.
2007-01-17 08:07:16 · answer #10 · answered by neil s 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe in Fate. Free Will is a choice.
2007-01-17 08:09:15 · answer #11 · answered by Eva 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋