2007-10-29 18:19:07 · 12 answers · asked by capekicks 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Do you have a choice in whether or what you will answer?
2007-10-29 18:20:05 · update #1
The entire universe conspired towards the goal of you asking this question, and further that I would refuse to answer it. Sorry amigo, but I have no choice in the matter.
2007-10-29 18:31:01 · answer #1 · answered by unabashed 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I lean towards a Kant view of choice and events if God has true Omniscience. That you are and the choices you make are based upon the things you've experienced in the past.
You could imagine the theory as a snowball rolling down a hill. While watching it roll, you are able to see where the ball has been, what direction it is heading, and what obstacles are in it's path. With enough information, you could make an accurate guess as to where that ball will come to rest at the bottom of the hill.
Essentially, if you knew everything there was to know about a person, including their cellular make up and their entire past, you could figure what decisions they'll choose in life as they appear.
I suppose that there are times we act out of instinct, habit or as a result of experience, but I want to believe that there are just a few moments in our lives when free will and and our conscience allow us to make a truely moral, unpredictable choice.
On the other hand, I have answered this question the same way I've answered it before... so maybe I'm thinking like a machine
2007-10-29 18:28:21 · answer #2 · answered by Sam T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Or maybe the cogs just choose to turnf?
Seriously though I don't think we're cogs in Gods watch. Why if we have no free will would God give us the ability to wonder if we had free will? What would be the point? No. As far as I'm concerned whether or not you believe in God, you have free will and you decided to post the question it wasn't predetermined.
2007-10-29 18:29:39 · answer #3 · answered by Aurora 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If we see ourselves as a seperate creation, created by God, perhaps your suggestion that we are all really victims having no free will might seem logical. However perhaps we are not seperate but are actually One with God, like God is Cause and we are Effect, we might consider ourselves of a much higher status deserving the incredible ability of free will.
Was I inclined to answer this way and had no choice in the matter?
2007-10-29 18:47:09 · answer #4 · answered by stedyedy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If God made humans in His own image,then that image can't be a watch as that would also imply that God Himself is a watch and not a watch maker.I don't think we are cogs in a machine but may be,a kind of self run multi functional machine .In such a case,the 'self run' part can be akin to a free will and multi 'functional part' as our individuality.Of course,the very fact that you printed this question,you chose to exercise you decision.
2007-10-29 18:47:25 · answer #5 · answered by brkshandilya 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A watch is incapable of making decisions or reacting to stimuli. We are consious beings with a God-like spiritual component, and a God-given free will. Yes, we are free to decide for ourselves. There's a definite reason for that, and it involves God's perfect love. For love to be real and genuine it has to be freely given and freely accepted. That can only happen if we are given the capability to freely choose.
Yes, being all-knowing, God knows in advance how we are going to choose, but we still choose just the same, and God allows that. We ourselves don't know how it's all going to turn out.
2007-10-29 18:41:30 · answer #6 · answered by the phantom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With or without a God, determinism is a valid proposition concerning human free will.
Even if there was no god (Which there is not) and our actions are a caused by our genes/environment and our beliefs/desires can we still be free?
My point is that the problem of human free will has little do with whether or not there is a celestial being watching over all of us carbon based creatures.
2007-10-29 18:26:08 · answer #7 · answered by Future 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
thats were your wrong. the only time people dont have free will is when they know their not being thierselves for whatever reason [society ;) ;) ] if and when u know your in complete control of your life and trust me u will then u will realise that u have free will! thats alot of wills. anyways what im trying to say is YOU DO HAVE FREE WILL and its up to YOU to use it for better or for worse. See you at the crossroads.
2007-10-29 18:25:45 · answer #8 · answered by Nicholas G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"God says do what you wish, but make the wrong choice and you will be tortured for eternity in hell. That sir, is not free will. It would be akin to a man telling his girlfriend, do what you wish, but if you choose to leave me, I will track you down and blow your brains out. When a man says this we call him a psychopath and cry out for his imprisonment/execution. When god says the same we call him 'loving' and build churches in his honor. " — William C. Easttom IIt.
2007-10-29 18:23:26 · answer #9 · answered by qxzqxzqxz 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
AARGH! Too many questions! Are you really real? Am I really real? Maybe we're dreaming and next you are going to ask who put your underwear in the microwave. You can't get rid of skidmarks in the microwave. I didn't just say that or was it you?
2007-10-29 18:24:16 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋