Here's a little something we discussed in my philosophy class today that I found rather intriguing. The topic affects every living thing in the universe, so you might be interested also.
Actions are a part of everyday life. Whether it be writing your dissertation or sitting on the toilet, each action has an impact on the universe. It changes the universe, no matter how minute the change, into a state that was different than before the action took place.
An event, defined as a change in the state of the world, can be the result of one or more actions. Events have taken place since the creation of the universe. What do all events have in common?
There are two theories as to why things happen:
1. Determinism: every event is causally determined, meaning, given the cause and given the laws of nature, the event had to occur.
2. Indeterminism: not every event is causally determined.
It doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out that the two are complete opposites, and that one cannot exist with the other.
OK, here's where I was going toward...
Determinism:
1. If an action is determined, then the agent couldn’t have done otherwise. (The agent could be anyone who is performing the action.)
2. If the agent couldn’t have done otherwise, then the action wasn’t free. (The action wasn’t free is the same as saying the agent was not free to do as s/he pleased.)
3. So, if an action is determined, then the action isn’t free.
Indeterminism:
1. If an action isn’t determined, then the action is random.
2. If an action is random, then the action is not under the agent's control.
3. If the action isn’t under the agent’s control, then the action isn’t free.
4. So, if an action isn’t determined, then the action isn’t free.
EVERY ACTION IS EITHER DETERMINED OR NOT DETERMINED, BUT NOT BOTH.
CONCLUSION: NO ACTION IS FREE.
If you need me to clarify any of the steps, I'll be glad to do so.
So, my question is, do you agree with any of this? My professor said that the class is going to analyze essays disproving the above argument, yet I myself don’t see anything wrong with it thus far. It is rather disturbing to think that NOTHING is under our control, but nevertheless, I agree with it. My opinion might change as the course progresses. I will keep you posted.
Thanks for bearing with me - that's one long-ass post. I believe it's my longest one.
Actions are a part of everyday life. Whether it be writing your dissertation or sitting on the toilet, each action has an impact on the universe. It changes the universe, no matter how minute the change, into a state that was different than before the action took place.
An event, defined as a change in the state of the world, can be the result of one or more actions. Events have taken place since the creation of the universe. What do all events have in common?
There are two theories as to why things happen:
1. Determinism: every event is causally determined, meaning, given the cause and given the laws of nature, the event had to occur.
2. Indeterminism: not every event is causally determined.
It doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out that the two are complete opposites, and that one cannot exist with the other.
OK, here's where I was going toward...
Determinism:
1. If an action is determined, then the agent couldn’t have done otherwise. (The agent could be anyone who is performing the action.)
2. If the agent couldn’t have done otherwise, then the action wasn’t free. (The action wasn’t free is the same as saying the agent was not free to do as s/he pleased.)
3. So, if an action is determined, then the action isn’t free.
Indeterminism:
1. If an action isn’t determined, then the action is random.
2. If an action is random, then the action is not under the agent's control.
3. If the action isn’t under the agent’s control, then the action isn’t free.
4. So, if an action isn’t determined, then the action isn’t free.
EVERY ACTION IS EITHER DETERMINED OR NOT DETERMINED, BUT NOT BOTH.
CONCLUSION: NO ACTION IS FREE.
If you need me to clarify any of the steps, I'll be glad to do so.
So, my question is, do you agree with any of this? My professor said that the class is going to analyze essays disproving the above argument, yet I myself don’t see anything wrong with it thus far. It is rather disturbing to think that NOTHING is under our control, but nevertheless, I agree with it. My opinion might change as the course progresses. I will keep you posted.
Thanks for bearing with me - that's one long-ass post. I believe it's my longest one.
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