How Free is Free Will

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Cognostic's picture
How Free is Free Will

I tend to agree with Matt Dillahaunty who cites Danial Dennett frequently. We seem to have an illusion of free will and the idea that we could have made something different if we wanted to. However, if we could actually back up time so that every atom and molecule was in the exact same place and every neuron subject to firing in the exact same way, the exact same decision would have been made. So what is this free will everyone speaks of and where does it come from?

And why do we need the word "free" in front of it. Isn't that just a theological "hang on" that is about as useful as the too long part of a toe nail. Isn't it just will? And if it is just "will." What does it mean to have a 'will" in the face of a deterministic universe.

(Just thought I would start something as all the insane theists seem to have given us a break.) So thoughts on Determinism and Free Will anyone? What is "will" and just how determined are things?

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arakish's picture
There is no Free Will. Right
NewSkeptic's picture
My feeble mind can't seem to
Sheldon's picture
Surely humans as conscious
LogicFTW's picture
@NewSkeptic
Cognostic's picture
@NewSkeptic: Agreed, "Free
Johans's picture
For me the "free will"
LogicFTW's picture
@master_jeebus
Cognostic's picture
@Sheldon: "as this seems at
Johans's picture
@Cog "How do you choose to
Cognostic's picture
@Point is that I do not think
NatJustNat's picture
Cognistic asks, "Would a
Cognostic's picture
"Below consciousness???"
Nyarlathotep's picture
Cognostic - What does it mean
Cognostic's picture
@Nyarlathotep: " determinism
LogicFTW's picture
@OP by cognostic and thread:
turning_left's picture
I just listened to a Radiolab
Cognostic's picture
@Stone Jade: Cool! This
dogalmighty's picture
Memory does not really work
Account Inactive's picture
Without a flux capacitor I'm
Cognostic's picture
@Workingclasshero: But we
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I've got an electric tin
Tin-Man's picture
@Cog and Workingclasshero
Cognostic's picture
@Workingclasshero... A
Old man shouts at clouds's picture
@ Cog
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I thought this looked a bit
Cognostic's picture
I thought this looked a bit

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A short two bob philosophy
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@Grinseedradial: Um... I
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@Cog Re: Radial thermostatic
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I could do with a heart... Oh

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