I've a few questions for anyone who might be interested in thinking about "freewill".
1.) What is freewill?
(Assuming you take the most accepted definition of freewill being the ability of agents to freely choose among multiple possibilities of action...)
2.) As human beings, our actions are driven by impulses or desires developed by evolution. We all experience conflicting desires from time to time and experience a state of limbo, but even our end decision was motivated by a foresighted desire (maybe choosing the desire to eat healthy and having better energy for the day over the desire to eat what you think tastes good was only swayed by avoiding medical problems when you get older). There was no amorphous spirit agent called "you" other than that foresighted desire that decided between them. As animals of evolution seen in a naturalistic view, desire (whether impulsive or more complex) seems to be all there is leading to meaningful action. So my question is how can you define yourself as a single "agent" that chooses between actions that isn't just the natural play of turbulent desires?
3.) Whether you think freewill is compatible or incompatible with determinism, how is this view any different when it comes to indeterminism? If a definite fate makes "freewill" impossible, then how could being controlled by quantum randomness make you any more free?
4.) Considering the above questions, how is the age old inquiry of freewill not complete and utter bullshit? Care to make an attempt?
|
|
Bookmarks