Of course there are addicts who broke free from their addiction where there was choice involved. My question wasn't about heroin addicts generally, it was specific to the case I mentioned. My question about free will is regarding the instance where the heroin addict already has the heroin in his hand, with a strong desire to use, and he's dope sick to boot. Can the heroin addict choose not to use, at that moment?Since there are heroin, cocaine, alcohol, and cigarette addicts who have quit using their preferred drug on their own, based on their decision made while addicted, we can reasonably suppose that addicts have free will (in as much as any human being has free will). — Bitter Crank
The crucial point that I want to find is about the nature of free will and when it can be taken away. We already know that a person does not have free will when he is forced to do something. If a heroin addict cannot choose not to use once he has everything already prepared, then there's something that can take away your free will besides force. We've made a discovery! On the other hand, if we believe that the heroin addict does have a choice, in the situation mentioned, we might conclude that free will can only be taken away by force.What, by the way, is the critical point you want to find in this discussion? — Bitter Crank
The crucial point that I want to find is about the nature of free will and when it can be taken away. — Purple Pond
Firstly, what do you mean by "will" and consequently "free will"? — BrianW
Not to speak for him bit I'd say "will" refers to the intent/directedness/conscious motivation driving actions, and "free" refers to the complement of causal determinism. — Terrapin Station
And I'd say that definitely you don't have free will when it comes to some things--it is possible to be forced to do some things. — Terrapin Station
You don't believe in causality at all? — Terrapin Station
It's the other way around. Causality negates free will as I defined it because we're talking about causal determinism, not the opposite of causal determinism. — Terrapin Station
I would say that, unless our free will is absolute, it factors into causal determinism. — BrianW
I don't think I can really produce a hard and fast definition, but I'll try anyways.Firstly, what do you mean by "will" and consequently "free will"? — BrianW
That is a direct contradiction. — whollyrolling
By "will" I mean the power in you to do things. By "free will" I mean you have the power to do things and you have a choice on whether or not you do certain actions. — Purple Pond
Does a person who lives a healthy lifestyle exhibit free will, or are they enslaved by an irresistible compulsion to eat well and exercise? — whollyrolling
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