Hi Everyone, In the video clip below, I give a one minute summary of why I think free will is illusory. In essence, the argument is that the laws of physics govern how everything evolves, and everything includes the physical processes in the brain underlying human thought/choices/decisions. Im writing this post to address a natural question this perspective raises, a question that Ive been asked repeatedly: Does the randomness of quantum mechanics open a door for free will? I dont think it does, because my conception of free will is radically distinct from ‘randomness. Free will, in the usual sense of the term, requires that I volitionally control my actions. Whether my actions are determined by Newtonian rigidity or probabilistic flexibility, I still am not in volitional control, the laws of physics are still fully in charge, and so I still lack free will. That’s not to rule out that quantum mechanics may one day play a role in the free will debate. There are still unresolved quantum mysteries, most notably the quantum measurement problem, which speaks to the crucial transition from the probabilistic haze of quantum possibility to the single definite reality of experience. But with our current understanding of quantum mechanics, it does not provide a safe-haven for free will. --BG
Posted on: Sun, 11 Jan 2015 21:01:17 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015