Does free will exist?

[Schnippshly]

The idea that our actions could be predicted is simply impossible. Not from a scientific point of view, but rather, the idea that our actions are all pre-ordained and that what we do is our destiny is ludicrous, just an easy way to explain why people do things as opposed to boiling their actions down on a psychological level.
Free will is 100%, but you don't see people doing whatever the hell they want because it'd make it awfully difficult for people to interact with eachother. Yes, I could go outside naked and throw crap at kids as they get off the school bus, but I don't because I don't want to get arrested. Not that I would do it if I couldn't get arrested.

 

[300lb. Samoan]

I decided of my own free will not to read this thread.

I also decided of my own free will, to flip a coin to determine my response. Heads for free will, tails for predestined fate.
The coin fell behind my desk and now I can't find it, so I don't know the answer.

 

[Schnippshly]

I decided of my own free will not to read this thread.

I also decided of my own free will, to flip a coin to determine my response. Heads for free will, tails for predestined fate.
The coin fell behind my desk and now I can't find it, so I don't know the answer.

I concur!

 

[Captain Blackout]

We have to believe in free will. We have no choice.

This. I have faith in free will and still this.

 

[NeutralDrow]

We have to believe in free will. We have no choice.

now THIS is quotable. i'll remember this one good man.

Thanks. I was quoting <url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Issac_Singer>someone else, though.

 

[Rhino923]

the very fact that the question is being asked would seem to state that free will does exist...not to mention the fact that despite knowledge of how every neuron will fire, there really would be no knowing exactly which one will trigger the appropriate sequence leading to conclusion and thus action, as any person who has been in a situation will tell you, often times their minds are going thru several scenarios simultaneously, the one chosen can be different with almost no outside stimulation involved...

there is also the possibility of chaos theory, in that what one scenario of neurons firing meant in one case, could be in fact, different based on virtually nothing.

but then again...what do i know? i dont pretend to show understanding or even caring with regards to anything ive just stated

 

[AceDefective]

you know the camera in you laptop steve wellstop piking your nose

 

[zoozilla]

I'd like to think that I am actually in control of the 70-80 short years I'll be alive.

The alternative is just too depressing for me to consider seriously.

 

[SmugFrog]

So let's just say I had the technology at this very moment to take a snapshot of every function of your body. Assuming I had the capability to interpret all of this data, I would be able to accurately predict your next move, as at a basic level we are all just a system of biological material after all.

If only it were that easy, we would be able to build an AI with no problems. What makes a person that loves chocolate ice cream decide they want strawberry one day? If I have in my hand 5 jellybeans of the same color, and told you to choose one, why would you pick the one you pick? Maybe it is based on shape or a slight change in color or some other factor - but a lot of those things change. Sure, you could program a computer with a random number generator and write the program to peek ahead at what the next number will be - then you will have predicted the future actions - but is that truly free will and making a real choice?

 

[captainwillies]

does free will exist

yes it exists but you don't have it. nor do i. true freedom is very rare.

 

[LockHeart]

does free will exist

yes it exists but you don't have it. nor do i. true freedom is very rare.

I think you're confusing the difference between free will and freedom: having free will doesn't necessarily imply that you'll be able to make every choice you want to make as at some point your options will be restricted.

To use a crude example: someone puts a gun to your head and orders you to do something - you'll have absolute free will to make whatever choice you want (assuming for the sake of argument that free will exists), but your freedom will be extremely limited to just two/three choices: you refuse, you acquiesce (or you don't choose).

 

[r4ndom]

This has to be the most over-done topic in the history of internets.

I concur. Or was I ALWAYS meant to concur? Was it fate?




No, no it was not.

 

[Typhusoid]

Every decision we make is a product of 3 variables, what we hope to gain, what we might lose and past experience.

 

[deuce0222]

Unless your theoretical monitoring system can directly influence my decisions, then it doesn't change the fact that I decide how to act in any given situation. All you system would allow you to do is predict the most likely option that I would choose. Even if it was 100% accurate, it doesn't change the fact that I'm the one choosing to take those actions.

Yes, you have free will.

Some people just choose to give it up.

 

[Jupsto]

I have thought about this. there is always a reason why a dice lands how it does, with enough information like the force/angle it is dropped etc. you could predict exactly how a dice lands each time (I reckon). Even a random number generator surely there is some reason why it chooses a particular number each time, some sort of input or condition. I find it hard to imagine anything at all being completely random. I don't know enough about human brain or the physics of probability (I don't think anyone does) to say for sure I am a determinist. but I'm definitely open to the possibility in my utter ignorance.

Again I am ignorant on this but I don't feel like time travel is ever possible I see time as only the current physical state of matter. but if above is true and random is not possible, then it is theoretically possible to predict the future I feel. Of course it will never happen because the amount of data needed and calculations would be virtually infinite, but interesting idea either way.

 

[hannahdonno]

It had been proven to some extent that we do not have control over our actions. Take for instance, pulling your hand away from a hot kettle. You do not think this action through, or even realise what you are doing, you brain has made the decision for you.

 

[JC175]

It had been proven to some extent that we do not have control over our actions. Take for instance, pulling your hand away from a hot kettle. You do not think this action through, or even realise what you are doing, you brain has made the decision for you.

That's true, however as far as I understand that's considered a reflex. I don't really know if the existence of reflex actions contradict the notion of free will, but it's something to consider.

 

[similar.squirrel]

Not truly 'free' will. We can mess around in with very constricting parameters. It's why I think suicide is is the ultimate manifestation of free will. It goes against our programming.

 

[CosmicCommander]

There is an awnser, and it is long and complex, and, frankly, I cannot be arsed to type 250,000 words, so, luckily, here s a link!

Linky [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_qQt9IrUc0&feature=PlayList&p=D688153FDB922DE8&index=0]

Please skip to 0:40