Does free will exist?

[mosaix]

Originally Posted by Ursa major

You may be right.

But as far as the randomness of quantum theory I know you are correct UM. Particles appear and disappear at random for ever-so-brief periods of time, bringing a random element to the universe that means predicting everything is not possible.

The question is: does that affect the thought processes in the brain and have an effect on free will?

[Parson]

Originally Posted by mosaix

But as far as the randomness of quantum theory I know you are correct UM. Particles appear and disappear at random for ever-so-brief periods of time, bringing a random element to the universe that means predicting everything is not possible.

The question is: does that affect the thought processes in the brain and have an effect on free will?

Or, at least as far as we know they are random.

Ursa Major wrote:

I suppose that in an infinite number of universes, there may be some (an infinite number of them, probably ) in which information can be perfect.

This statement lends itself to all kinds of tom foolery. I will satisfy myself with one less than semi serious response: "perfect information is in the eye of the beholder."

[mosaix]

Originally Posted by Ursa major

I suppose that in an infinite number of universes, there may be some (an infinite number of them, probably ) in which information can be perfect.

One of those infinite numbers is zero UM.

[mosaix]

Originally Posted by The Judge

If the legal system accepted free will did not exist, then both rehabilitation and deterrence are also non-starters. If it is my fate and/or my biology which makes me steal, then no amount of ordinary rehabilitation or deterrence will stop me or those whose fate/biology is similar to mine. In that event, the only options are (a) taking no action against me, leaving me free to pursue my burglarious career; (b) putting me somewhere for all time so that my fate/biology no longer impinges on others; (c) treating me to make the necessary amendments to my biology.

The fourth option is for the Judge to bow down to his/her own fate and/or biology and punish the criminal as he/her would have if he believed he had free will.

In other words the Judge could be just as much at the mercy of of his/her genes as the criminal.

[Interference]

I'm just amazed that Free Willy exists

[Ursa major]

Why? It's clear from seeing the film that he was continually being framed.


(Luckily, he wasn't being animated, otherwise he'd be in a cel - in fact, lots of them - to this day.)

[Interference]

Although, if he joined the fish general infantry, he might be Sea G.I.ed. Then he'd have to do as ordered. Free will? Don't make me laugh. Your choice

[Ursa major]

It would have to be more than a fluke for him to get into the fish general infantry. He's a mammal.

[Interference]

His mam'll help, I'm sure. She's a big fish.

[Ursa major]

What about Grampus?

[Interference]

He'll shoal less reticence after a few drinks.

[HareBrain]

Yes, my beautiful thread lives! IT LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVES!!!!

Thank you, Mosaix.

[mosaix]

Originally Posted by HareBrain

Yes, my beautiful thread lives! IT LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVES!!!!

Thank you, Mosaix.

Yes, Harebrain but is that by choice or was it ordained?

[Interference]

It chooses to live, but does it exist?

[mosaix]

What made me look up this old thread was a radio program on Determinism, not something I'd heard of before.

Basically Determinists say that the Universe was created with a specific set of laws and given that everything in the Universe operates by those laws then, from the moment the Universe was created, everything that was going to happen was already determined.

Food for thought.