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#1
12-13-2005, 01:31 PM
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Re: A Refutation of Determinism
[ QUOTE ]
The argument concerning LaPlace's Demon in this thread does a better job of refuting determinism [/ QUOTE ] I don't think this refutes determinism. Laplace was one of the first ardent determinists. Your statement [ QUOTE ] I'm sure I could abstain from eating that bowl of ice cream. [/ QUOTE ] amounts essentially to saying "Determinism is false." 
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#2
12-13-2005, 01:27 PM
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Re: A Refutation of Determinism
[ QUOTE ]
Therefore, you should do your best not to believe in (or at least not to act in accord with) determinism, as this decision seems to leave you with the highest possible EV. [/ QUOTE ] Whether or not you believe in it doesn't affect your EV, but, as you correctly point out, whether or not you act in accord with it does. Good post.
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#3
12-13-2005, 01:55 PM
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Re: A Refutation of Determinism
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#4
12-13-2005, 03:39 PM
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Re: A Refutation of Determinism
[ QUOTE ]
I suggest you read the book Elbow Room , it may settle your worries. D. [/ QUOTE ] Great book. So is Consciousness Explained by the same author.
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#5
12-13-2005, 01:57 PM
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Re: A Refutation of Determinism
[ QUOTE ]
In conclusion, it is the nut best belief to trust in free will, whether or not it actually exists. Make sense? [/ QUOTE ] The real issue seems to be how can we escape determinism on a non-theistic basis. The only option is pure randomness which doesn't appear any more attractive than pure determinism. The core difficulty is that it's impossible for a non-theistic metaphysic to provide rational justification to the idea that human life has any significance whatsover.
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#6
12-13-2005, 03:23 PM
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Re: A Refutation of Determinism
[ QUOTE ]
The core difficulty is that it's impossible for a non-theistic metaphysic to provide rational justification to the idea that human life has any significance whatsover. [/ QUOTE ] Rational Justification: P1) Humans determine significance P2) I am a human P3) My life is signficant to me C) Human life is significant
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#8
12-13-2005, 05:55 PM
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Re: A Refutation of Determinism
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ] C) Human life is significant [/ QUOTE ] What's significant about a cosmic accident that no one remembers when it's disappeared? [/ QUOTE ] It's significant to me, right now. It makes me happy.
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#9
12-13-2005, 07:12 PM
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Re: A Refutation of Determinism
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ] C) Human life is significant [/ QUOTE ] What's significant about a cosmic accident that no one remembers when it's disappeared? [/ QUOTE ] Significance is relative. My life is the most significant thing to me.
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#10
12-13-2005, 03:38 PM
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Re: A Refutation of Determinism
[ QUOTE ]
A) All actions are fully predetermined by the laws of physics, etc., and an omniscient being with full information could give you the complete state of the universe at any point in space-time; thus, free will does not exist [/ QUOTE ] That doesn't follow at all. "Free will" means doing what you want. It doesn't mean acting randomly. Free will and determinism are compatible.
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