2007-08-25 16:21:42 · 13 answers · asked by the lioness 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Imagine you are faced with a decision. You are starving and there is a long table with three plates of food.
If I knew you I might predict you will first eat the food on the plate which most appeals to your tastes.
If I didn't know you, I might predict you will eat the food on the first plate you can reach.
If I were a selfish person, I might predict you will grab all three plates and pick and choose which food you will eat first.
If I were a religious person, I might predict you will pray for the gift of food that was given to you and then decline it because you are fasting.
If I were an anarchist, I might predict you will not eat any of the food as you will see it as a plot by the government to control the food you eat and you will throw the food away in protest.
If I were a circus geek, I might predict you will throw away the food and eat the plates and table.
The truth is, just because you can predict all of the possible outcomes (which I did not list all of them) of a particular action and in all likelyhood predict which of those is most likely, it does not take away from the fact you have the freedom to make your own decision.
2007-08-25 16:50:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Group actions, LARGE group actions, are generally predictable. The actions of small groups and individuals cannot be predicted with any degree of accuracy. If individual action were predictable we would not have crime to the degree that we have it; we also would not have great innovation. The communist countries tried to test young children and predict what their strengths would be. They did this for years in the USSR and Eastern Europe, and still do it in China. Had their theory been correct, the world would have seen great advances in all fields from these countries. That has not been the case.
As for freedom, regardless of the predictability of our actions, we can never be really "free". All societies make a pact with their individual members; band together as a collective for the common good; you will never be alone, you will have a home and be part of us. In exchange, you give up some individual freedoms for the good of all. In more free societies, the group decides what is for the common good. In less free societies, the government decides. Still, regardless of who decides, there are things we as individuals cannot do, so as the price of belonging to society, we are not really free, and never really can be free.
When it comes to the inability to be free, predictability is really the least of our problems.
2007-08-25 23:47:13 · answer #2 · answered by Bartmooby 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even though our actions are to an extent predictable - there s still a lot that is not possible to predict, like in space, things happen outside of the realm of predictions, because ultimately its chaos that we came from.
2007-08-27 16:27:46 · answer #3 · answered by IggySpirit 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
On a practical level, I agree with LeBlanc (that is if I understood what he is getting at).
In my opinion, if we feel free then we are free.
This is like asking "do you believe in fate?" My answer would be "what does it matter if I beleive in fate or not ? Since I simply don't know if fate will allow me to succeed or not, the only thing I can do is to use my free-will and do my best".
I also agree with nglsh_mrg. Quantum physics says actions on an atomic level are not predictable, let alone actions (and thoughts) of concious beings.
And come to think of it, the question of conciousness is a whole new can of worms to this question.
2007-08-25 23:49:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Theoretically predictable, but as we choose, the variables change as well. Predictability is irrelevant in an instance of choice. In a game of cards one could choose to keep their king (the predictable choice) for an almost sure victory, or they could choose to gamble for a better hand. (and probably lose)
2007-08-25 23:27:36 · answer #5 · answered by anit0523 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have free will and can choose our actions, I disagree that our actions are theoretically predictable.
2007-08-25 23:28:04 · answer #6 · answered by margo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The point is that,
We do not know the theoretical predictability.
2007-08-25 23:30:15 · answer #7 · answered by LeBlanc 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As an individual..my actions aren't predictable..I act one way when I'm sober...and totally different when I'm drunk. When I get pissed off..I think one way. When I calm down I think a different way. It's not always the same way. I can't predict it. I'm free because I don't care what anyone else thinks about my attitude or demeanor.
2007-08-25 23:40:37 · answer #8 · answered by chilicooker_mkb 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe Quantum Physics would 'dispute' you assumption of theoretical predictability.
2007-08-26 00:22:00 · answer #9 · answered by Doctor J 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They may infact be predicatable, but who has the time or money to predict each individual.
2007-08-25 23:27:06 · answer #10 · answered by Wait a Minute 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋