I do n`t view life as an evolving mind, what does that even mean? — celebritydiscodave
Prejudice is caused by a gap in thinking, hence defined as ignorance. "Sources" suggests too much to information, and prejudice is at odds with information, — celebritydiscodave
we are determined because it is the only way in which we can possibly hope to function.. — celebritydiscodave
should read "with" an evolving mind in that case, — celebritydiscodave
that you consider the world to be a mind. — celebritydiscodave
Entanglement is fundamental to quantum mechanics. The observer is entangled as is everything else. As I said elsewhere, there is no separation anywhere. — Rich
roll a pair of dice — RepThatMerch22
if you have knowledge of the initial conditions of the die/coin, you can predict the exact outcome of the die/coin — Agent Smith
My view is that determinism must be true. — RepThatMerch22
My view is that determinism must be true.
At the most basic level, things happen because they are caused by other things.
If you roll a pair of dice, the result is not random, but determined by the laws of physics. If you knew all relevant information (e.g. force of throw, distance of throw, angle of throw, nature of surface, etc.), you could figure out what the result would be.
Take that simple example and apply it to everything. The fact is that you couldn't have all the information to determine what could happen, for example, with human behaviour. But hypothetically if you did, then you would be able to predict it with ease.
How different are we from ants, really? Ants are just less complex. How different are ants from dice? Think about it.
Free will must be an illusion. You only do things because something in your brain told you to. If you understood all the chemistry and physics behind the operation of your brain, you would be able to see why you do things.
Ultimately, the free will vs. determinism debate is useless and probably harmful. If you believe in determinism, people become depressed and feel hopeless because they view themselves as prisoners. From a practical standpoint that isn't a useful way to live a life.
If you believe in determinism, people will ask what happens of criminals who commit atrocious crimes. Well, that is still determined. Should they bear the blame though? Absolutely - because otherwise civilisation would not work.
But putting aside morality, etc. -- if you think about this question on the most fundamental cause/effect level, it is undeniable to me that determinism simply MUSt be true. What exactly is truly random? Events in the universe only occur as a result of the operation of physical laws.
Can't why I say something still be true or false, I'm just determined to say what I say? I realize this was a month ago so I understand if you don't recall what you were thinking about this topic. — NotAristotle
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