Philosophy Now Forum

If we accept that everything exists in predetermined parameters then yes, even freedom is merely illusion.

HaHaHa wrote:If we accept that everything exists in predetermined parameters then yes, even freedom is merely illusion.

Any philosopher willing to accept such a ridiculous proposition should have the balls to reach for his hemlock immediately.

Obvious Leo wrote:

HaHaHa wrote:If we accept that everything exists in predetermined parameters then yes, even freedom is merely illusion.

Any philosopher willing to accept such a ridiculous proposition should have the balls to reach for his hemlock immediately.

And yet here I am still alive and breathing...

HaHaHa wrote: And yet here I am still alive and breathing...

Coward.

Obvious Leo wrote:

HaHaHa wrote: And yet here I am still alive and breathing...

Coward.

I think struggling alive for survival amongst extreme adversity is the most courageous act.

Seems to be pissing you off enough....

HaHaHa wrote:I think struggling alive for survival amongst extreme adversity is the most courageous act.

I agree. Is this how you would describe your own life?

Obvious Leo wrote:

HaHaHa wrote:I think struggling alive for survival amongst extreme adversity is the most courageous act.

I agree. Is this how you would describe your own life?

Yes.

HaHaHa wrote:

Obvious Leo wrote:

HaHaHa wrote:I think struggling alive for survival amongst extreme adversity is the most courageous act.

I agree. Is this how you would describe your own life?

Yes.

Then you have my compassion. I'm an old bloke but my own life has been a walk in the park compared with what I've seen in most parts of the world. This reflects almost no credit on me because this was entirely an accident of birth.

Obvious Leo:

Then you have my compassion. I'm an old bloke but my own life has been a walk in the park compared with what I've seen in most parts of the world. This reflects almost no credit on me because this was entirely an accident of birth.

I need no pity. Pity is for the weak. I need no pretension of compassion either.

I have no use for it.

Any developed human brain has mechanisms to correct,control,reorganise or transform itself.
They indicate a freewill of brain.
Transformation is control or change of nature.When brain undertakes transformation,it sets its
own goals and persues them through an inner reorganisation.The transformation is not a reaction
of brain to stimuli.It is self-generated and free.

HaHaHa wrote:

Obvious Leo:

Then you have my compassion. I'm an old bloke but my own life has been a walk in the park compared with what I've seen in most parts of the world. This reflects almost no credit on me because this was entirely an accident of birth.

I need no pity. Pity is for the weak. I need no pretension of compassion either.

I have no use for it.

Compassion is not pity. And a world without compassion would just suck. It's not just for the weak, if you can empathise with another human who goes through the same shit you do, which is all of us at one point or another. It's a bleak outlook you have, and you have my compassion also.

(Well, Haha, if you get injured somewhere away from home you will have good use for other's compassion.)

But regardless of that - this determinist or not determinist stuff, does that LEAD to anything? I frankly don't give a damn about my decisions being random or detemimed by a butterfly flying in Rhodesia 1927. Thing is - does Determinist, Libertarianists or Compatibilists make any changes in their behaviours according to their standpoints?

Looking at the, now popular, US politics you COULD maybe assume that the ratio of Determinists among Republicans should be higher since free choice doesn't seem to be a big an issue as it is for the liberal Democrats.

Any thoughts here? Is the free will issue just a brain game?

Ansiktsburk wrote:(Well, Haha, if you get injured somewhere away from home you will have good use for other's compassion.)

But regardless of that - this determinist or not determinist stuff, does that LEAD to anything? I frankly don't give a damn about my decisions being random or detemimed by a butterfly flying in Rhodesia 1927. Thing is - does Determinist, Libertarianists or Compatibilists make any changes in their behaviours according to their standpoints?

Looking at the, now popular, US politics you COULD maybe assume that the ratio of Determinists among Republicans should be higher since free choice doesn't seem to be a big an issue as it is for the liberal Democrats.

Any thoughts here? Is the free will issue just a brain game?

Yeah, its just a game. Even within limited choice, there is choice. And if there isn't, life goes on anyways. I'd like to see an otherwise mentally fit individual try to use philosophical determinism in a criminal court of law as a defence for the crimes they commit. It wouldn't wash.

Did anybody see the movie "Free Willy"? That movie showed that sometimes a will or willy needs outside help to be free.

I have a friend called Will and he is pretty free to do what he wants, with some limitations. Recently he has been cat sitting for us. Looking after our cat has curtailed some of his freedom. However, that hasn't decreased his overall will to live his life. In fact, cat sitting has given him some free time from his family since he is living in our house away from them.

Recently I heard about a fat man who discovered the will to lose weight. The will was facilitated by a dog who was also overweight. They supported each other in losing weight.

spike wrote:Did anybody see the movie "Free Willy"? That movie showed that sometimes a will or willy needs outside help to be free.

I have a friend called Will and he is pretty free to do what he wants, with some limitations. Recently he has been cat sitting for us. Looking after our cat has curtailed some of his freedom. However, that hasn't decreased his overall will to live his life. In fact, cat sitting has given him some free time from his family since he is living in our house away from them.

Recently I heard about a fat man who discovered the will to lose weight. The will was facilitated by a dog who was also overweight. They supported each other in losing weight.

Of course we do. To make choices you have to see alternatives. And like Sartre said in "existentialism is a humanism", when we do, that is not always comfy.