All we are is chemical reactions! Think about it! Do you feel like a chemical reaction?

Question

Down the lowest level, a chemical reaction is just the way atoms bump into each other and the way they transfer energy and electrons. That's all we are. We are a bunch of chemical reactions. Yet somehow that has created thought. Somehow that has created cognitive free will and the ability to judge situations. I feel like more than a chemical reaction, or atoms just bumping into each other. Here's another question. If the laws of physics is correct, and if all anything that happens is atoms bumping into each other, than isnt everything set in place? Wasn't everything planned by what could only happen when the Big Bang went off?

Oh yeah, and love, the most complex emotion we have, is a chemical reaction.

Answer 1

So you could be asking whether we are chemical robots or something like that.. I don't think people are that reactive to their surroundings in the sense that they're pushed and pulled by their environment. As for free will, our choices may be constrained to a few but not to one. But you may be right about this when people are not in control, their conditioning determines their actions while the rational mind is on vacation.

Answer 2

You are many chemical reactions not a single one.

And secondly no, maybe you have heard the famous quote by Einstein: "God does not play dice with the universe" (not exactly quoted ;))
This was in reponse to the "Copenhagen interpretation" an "interpretation" of quantum mechanics mainly by Werner Heisenberg, Niels Bohr and Max Born. Where at the quantum scale things aren't deterministic, but probabilistic. This is the most common interpretation at the moment ( I believe). Einstein believed it was deterministic i.e. events were set out form the big bang.

Answer 3

This is the one thing science says that I have a major problem with. To reduce everything that we (as individuals, communities and a species) to the mere motion of atoms and chemical reactions has always struck me as an odd thing to claim.

If we are merely the sum of our parts (ie, atoms), and everything we do is controlled by those interactions, can anybody really be held accountable for their actions?
"Sir, you are accused of killing 3 people."
"Sorry, my atoms made me do it"
"Oh, ok, well then you're free to go"

Answer 4

Show me a "mere chemical reaction" that can play the guitar... good luck.