#1
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Two personal beliefs and their consequences
I am a fatalist; I do not believe in free will. This is because I feel that my actions are controlled by my brain and my brain in turn is controlled by the laws of physics. There is no room in here for independent action.
I also do not believe in the natural value of morality. I do not believe that any actions are in and of themselves inherently right or wrong. While I do in almost all cases act in a moral way (I haven't murdered anyone, for example) I see no real reason to do this. Because of these beliefs I am ethically off the hock if I kill / rape / steal etc. Not only is it NOT MY CHOICE (because I do not have free will) it's not "wrong" because I don't believe wrong exists. This seems to me an unsatisfactory solution. What do I do? |
#2
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Re: Two personal beliefs and their consequences
Setting aside the issue of free will, I would say that your actions are constrained by the laws of physics, not controlled by them. The actions of an inanimate object like a pen are controlled by the laws of physics--if I hold the pen out to my side and let go of it, it will fall to the ground. If I hold my arm out to my side and let go of it, I can make it do anything I want it to do, within the contraints of the laws of physics. So, instead of falling down, I can actually make my arm rise.
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#3
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Re: Two personal beliefs and their consequences
Can you actually? Think about it for a minute. Can you do anything other than what you actually do? What gives you that ability?
We are no different from highly complicated computers / animals. |
#4
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Re: Two personal beliefs and their consequences
Reading Dennett's "Freedom Evolves" would be a good start. It'll give you a grasp of how freedom can exist and the errors of determinism.
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#5
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Re: Two personal beliefs and their consequences
[ QUOTE ]
This seems to me an unsatisfactory solution. What do I do? [/ QUOTE ] Postulate the existance of a superior being who gave you a soul and free will. Problem solved. Stu |
#6
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Re: Two personal beliefs and their consequences
Until you get into the logical inconsistancies with freewill and omniscience. Regardless, I am only willing to believe things which are logical to me. To do otherwise is irrational.
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#7
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Re: Two personal beliefs and their consequences
Why don't you explain to me some of the main points? I apologize but I seem to have misplaced my copy of (random book) it must be in my other pants.
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#8
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Re: Two personal beliefs and their consequences
"We are no different from highly complicated computers / animals."
Keep thinking like this and it will become a reality. Or you can change your mind. Or does your mind change you? |
#9
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Re: Two personal beliefs and their consequences
[ QUOTE ]
Until you get into the logical inconsistancies with freewill and omniscience. [/ QUOTE ] A superior being is not by definition omniscience. [ QUOTE ] Regardless, I am only willing to believe things which are logical to me. To do otherwise is irrational [/ QUOTE ] Are you saying its impossible for a superior being to create a biological machine? If so all those scientest working on creating life from scratch are wasting thier time. Stu |
#10
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Re: Two personal beliefs and their consequences
If you are trying to turn this into a god argument well... go for it but I'm not gonna bite.
I am saying I cannot believe in things which are illogical. That is all. |
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