Free will versus determinism

[kris]

Originally Posted by halo

..... It just means that when we are confronted with certain choices at any given moment, we must choose the alternative that is the most preferable in our eyes, not someone else's eyes.

I always do this even though I have not read your book.

The other principle that is important to understand is that nothing can make us do anything against our will, for we have absolute control over this. .....

This is true most of the time. But then, so far I have not been cornered by a guy pointing a gun at me.

[halo]

Originally Posted by kris

I always do this even though I have not read your book.
This is true most of the time. But then, so far I have not been cornered by a guy pointing a gun at me.

I just want to mention that this is not my book. I am just the compiler; the author passed away. I don't want to take credit for what is not mine.

To respond to your comment, even if there is a gun pointing at you, you still must choose what you believe is the better choice given your limited options. For example, if the robber says that you better give him you money, or he will blow your head off, do you really have a choice what you will do? According to free will, there is no compulsion; that we are free to choose one thing just as equally as another, which is totally fallacious.

[kris]

Originally Posted by halo

To respond to your comment, even if there is a gun pointing at you, you still must choose what you believe is the better choice given your limited options. For example, if the robber says that you better give him you money, or he will blow your head off, do you really have a choice what you will do? According to free will, there is no compulsion; that we are free to choose one thing just as equally as another, which is totally fallacious.

Dont' be so sure about what I would do when facing a gun pointed at me. Even I am not sure what I would in such a situation.

[halo]

Originally Posted by kris

Dont' be so sure about what I would do when facing a gun pointed at me. Even I am not sure what I would in such a situation.

The point I was making is that you are compelled to pick the choice that in your eyes is most preferable. If you knew that by not doing what the gunman wanted your loved ones would be hurt, you may do what he wanted because the alternative would be so much worse [in your eyes]. I am not predicting what would give you greater satisfaction in this situation, because I'm not you. I was just offering an example.

[kris]

As long as I get to decide what I am compelled to do, I am OK with it.

[halo]

Originally Posted by kris

As long as I get to decide what I am compelled to do, I am OK with it.

Great, then I hope you read the book. Determinism, the way it is defined, does not take away from your freedom, it adds to your freedom.