Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
Editorials & Other Articles
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Religion
In reply to the discussion: We do not have free will. [View all]qazplm135
(7,465 posts)37. because words can have subtlety
you can be free to do something, and not free to do others.
You can have freedom of speech with constraints on shouting fire in a crowded theater.
You can have freedom of movement but not be allowed to go to Area 51.
You can have freedom of religion but not be allowed to perform human sacrifices in the name of Cthulu.
See, pretty easy concept.
Edit history
Please sign in to view edit histories.
81 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
RecommendedHighlight replies with 5 or more recommendations
except this atheist who thinks 'free will' is an entirely dubious concept in a material universe.
Voltaire2
Aug 2019
#18
That's only in the context of actions studied. You are suggesting a much broader interpretation.
trotsky
Aug 2019
#45
You're writing a lot of words to try and distract from the fact that you want it both ways.
trotsky
Aug 2019
#56
No, it doesn't. It introduces conscious control into the search and deliberation processes.
Jim__
Aug 2019
#69
except that when neurologists go looking for this alleged 'conscious control' what they find instead
Voltaire2
Aug 2019
#70
From your citation: "The illusion may only apply to a small set of our choices ..."
Jim__
Aug 2019
#71
yeah because of the limitations of the investigative tools (fMRI) only simple experiments can be
Voltaire2
Aug 2019
#72
The limitations of the investigative tools constitute limitations on what you can learn ...
Jim__
Aug 2019
#73
I was taught that in Ctholic school. I never believed it. It was made up. When ever something
wasupaloopa
Aug 2019
#52
So you are not responcible for your actions since you did not use your free will to choose to do
wasupaloopa
Aug 2019
#51