Quote Originally Posted by Universal Mind View Post
Because "on their own" would involve lack of causality, which is a nonsense concept.
No it doesn't, which is my point. Why can something not be created that can decide on its own? If it came into existence because of a cause, then it is possible under determinism. The fact that it broke free, and no longer effected by new causes, does not make a difference. Even under your definition and rules, there is not a single reason why a being can not come into existence, that is free from new causes. You can always point back to the original cause that created it, but from that point on it continues on it own. You have yet to give a reason, why this is not possible.

And to your other point, no. The laws of physics say nothing of the sort. Physics doesn't deal with consciousness in living beings.