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Free Will

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Oh8ch said:
What make you think I think we have it?

I don't.
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OK, should've phrased it "do you think you/we have it". Most seem to think we do. Maybe one of the last big questions of philosophy-- that will seemingly be answered by neurology. (And I kind of wanted to see if this sub-forum was working). I likewise don't. Have always found it more of a religious concept.
 
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I that we are subjected to a lot of influences that can be considered causal but in the end we decided what will do or what we will not do. The causal factors can only increase/decrease likelihood.

I'd imagine where you come down on this one also aligns with where you come down on the question of God so I assume that's what you mean by it being a religious question but wouldn't physicists also have a pretty clear take on it?

Newtonian physics gave us a universe that works like a clock. Seems to me they'd be very deterministic and therefore on the contra side of free will. A perfect, good God created all, set all in motion and is behind every action. How could there be free will if you believe that?

Quantum physics/mechanics otoh, while it might be good for predicting events at the cellular level, shows us that we don't have a fucking clue what that world is really like. So if I can wrap my head around that type of chaos even existing and then, say, question if God exists, doesn't that make a case for free will?

I'm not a philosopher and certainly not a great thinker but just my .02 since you asked.
 
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Many years ago, it was illegal to quote Nelson Mandela, who was banned in South Africa. A generation had grown up since he was imprisoned on Robben Island and those below the age of 45 knew very little about him. In the run-up to his release, I was asked to facilitate a corporate culture meeting for a large factory workforce that would begin to open the discussion about him and his banned African National Congress party. The meeting was very awkward and the audience was constantly looking around to see if there were government agents filming or monitoring them. So, I broke from the plan and the following occurred.

Steve19: Guys listen. The government has announced that Mandela will be freed next week. There are no cameras or spies here. I am a professor at XXXXXX University and you know where the University stands on Apartheid.

Audience: [crickets]

Steve19: OK, let's start here. What is Mandela's first name?

Audience: [Two minutes of crickets and then a hand goes up]. Is it "Free"? People usually say, "Free Mandela".

So, Zippercat, I'm pretty sure it's some deep state group somewhere. :cool:
 
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Does Will know Willy?

is
 
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