Are they incompatible, or can there be an amalgamation of free will and determinism?
For example, could it be that inconsequential (or seemingly inconsequential) events are not determined, but that grave events are?
Maybe I will eat an apple today. Or, I may choose a candy bar. Maybe it will have some impact on future events, especially if we were to go far enough in the future. But what if something of this nature has no impact at all on the future?
Perhaps these trivial matters are not governed by fate. Maybe it will not matter if I watch T.V. or read a book tomorrow.
But maybe it does matter if I choose to become a politician, or if I choose (through what may be an illusion of choice) to work as a janitor instead as a career choice. Could these seemingly more important selections be preordained?
But if determinism is true, then how can God hold us accountable for our sins?
2007-03-29 11:34:45 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Even if strict and total determinism is true, you can still be held accountable.
Consider your car. Nobody is likely to say that your car has free will. But if it breaks down all the time, doesn't go where you steer it, and other such nonsense you will hold your car accountable. You will either try to get it fixed or get rid of it altogether. It's the car whose fate hinges on its behaviour. If a human were similarly broken (even if he had no choice in the matter) wouldn't you either repair or sequester him?
As for which is actually so... we'll probably never really know. The Heisenburg Uncertainty Principle precludes us from knowing enough about the universe to ever completely predict it. And on the other side, it certainly SEEMS like we each make choices... and Occam's Razor would suggest that actuality is more likely than illusion.
The biggest problem I have with the free-willers is their apparent inability to state their ideas in a form that can ever be proven or falsified. At least the determinists can very concretely say where they're coming from!
2007-03-29 11:57:14 · answer #1 · answered by Doctor Why 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Both - determinism is the urge of the human mind to demand what we want and what we want ultimaltey comes form wht we choose to do or not if the case may be.
2007-03-29 13:26:58 · answer #2 · answered by kissaled 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I see your point, and agree with your reasoning. I don't exactly have an answer, but I think that to sin is not something god would preordain for us, and so in that way is how he can punish us for our sins.
2007-03-29 11:58:02 · answer #3 · answered by Clark kent 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Philosophers will go on debating this forever. But most common folk have always believed both in fate and in their ability to make choices. Paradoxical, yes, but it seems to work for most of us.
2007-03-29 12:20:24 · answer #4 · answered by dreamed1 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Determinism is the truth. It is one more reason to not believe in a god.
2007-03-29 11:52:27 · answer #5 · answered by Sophist 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Both.
Determinism is true for those who don't know truth yet, and free will for those who do.
It's a very fine line, not very easy to see, but when you find it, you'll never look back.
He who sees with his eyes is blind....Plato.
Sapere aude!
2007-03-29 11:41:48 · answer #6 · answered by Alex 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Good luck finding an answer for this question. It is like asking if there is God. People are sharply divided on such topics but if you find the one true answer please let me know.
2007-03-29 11:50:22 · answer #7 · answered by Marwan Arikat 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋