Free Will

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Well, I can't know whether you are being dishonest or not. All I can tell you is that I know that I make choices, in much the same way that I know I exist.

I think that people who talk about "free will" are basically just confused. If you carefully pick apart the concepts surrounding the issue, you find that people actually agree on the relevant facts.

FACT 1: My behaviour, as seen from the outside, is entirely consistent with physical laws.
FACT 2: I make choices.

These two facts do not contradict each other.

The presumption in favor of upward causation and explanation (from microphysical to macrophysical) that comes with causal completeness is what cuts free agency out of the picture, whether this causation is deterministic or partly random.

I watched a movie tonight called The Adjustment Bureau. There is one scene in particular that piqued my interest. It is a scene where a character known as Thompson explains free will.



I agree and disagree with Thompson's explanation of free will. Let me address both starting with my disagreement.

Where I disagree with him is in his explanation of free will, or the fundamental nature of free will itself. As a believer in Jehovah God, the bible states that we were made in his image, and in the likeness of God. (Genesis 1:26) Since Jehovah God has free will, it is only reasonable to conclude that this gift was endowed upon the first human pair. (Genesis 1:27,28) In the likeness of God simply means we mirror God's many qualities like love, justice, wisdom, and so forth; including free will. (Galatians 5:22,23) As imperfect beings - in no small part thanks to Adam, Eve and Satan (Genesis 3:1-15; Romans 5:12) - we are unable to reflect God's qualities perfectly. But when it comes to free will this is perhaps the one aspect of God's qualities that humans use to its fullest. In what way? Jehovah God, through his son's perfect random sacrifice, has given humanity the most powerful use for their free will in deciding if they will exercise faith in Jesus' sacrifice and serve Jehovah, or to not serve him. (Deuteronomy 30:19, 20; Proverbs 27:11; Isaiah 48:18) While we live in this time period Jehovah God does not force this choice on anyone. (Zephaniah 2:2,3; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20)

Where I agree with Thompson are his statements on the "appearance of free will" and "control over the important things". As created beings our Heavenly Father has endowed us with many wonderful traits but the one thing we were never gifted with is the ability to govern ourselves or others. Jeremiah agrees; "I well know, O Jehovah, that to earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step." (Jeremiah 10:23) What has been the result of centuries of humans trying to direct the steps of millions? Wise King Solomon answers, "man has dominated man to his injury" (Ecclesiastes 8:9) and those words are more truthful today than they were during Solomon's time. Only Jehovah God has the right to govern mankind because he “created all things, and because of [his] will they existed and were created." (Revelation 4:11) As Thompson concludes if left to humanity we would literally destroy ourselves. Similar words were spoken by Jesus over 1,900 years ago. Referring to a cataclysmic event he called the great tribulation he states that wicked mankind will bring themselves to brink of destruction to a degree that he adds, "In fact, unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved; but on account of the chosen ones those days will be cut short." (Matthew 24:21,22)

The ultimate expression of "control over the important things" can be seen in the apostle John's inspired words: "Do not be loving either the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him; because everything in the world — the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one’s means of life — does not originate with the Father, but originates with the world. Furthermore, the world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever." (1 John 2:15-17) The "control over the important things" is fundamentally what's at stake. Jehovah sovereignty, or his right to rule, was challenged by Satan in the very beginning. Through Jehovah's perfect justice he has allowed a set amount of time for Satan to present his case not only before the spiritual realm of angelic beings but also the physical realm of humanity. Our decision to side with Jehovah or Satan is at the very heart of our free will. (Proverbs 27:11)

Beyond the agreements and disagreements, free will is a wonderful gift given by Jehovah God so that we can simply enjoy life. But more important this unique ability we possess can help us serve Jehovah and his interests. How can this be free will? Very simply if you love someone, free will empowers you to do the things they ask out of love.

If my behaviour is the result of neuro-chemical activity, then there is no decision at all, no choice, because there is no alternative.

FACT 2: I make choices.

Whatever "I made a choice" means, it certainly does not mean "the laws of physics permit me to have chosen differently".

If that's what "I made a choice" means, then I could say "I made a choice" if my choice was determined by a random number generator. That would be silly.

Please stop proselytizing using your sig. line.

I don't really understand what you mean.

Imagine that the universe is fundamentally deterministic, like a clock. In such a universe, a thing that happens could not have happened differently according to the laws of physics.

Now imagine that the universe is fundamentally random, like a coin-flip. In such a universe, a thing that happens could have happened differently according to the laws of physics.

Is it really true that I can make choices in the second universe, but not the first?

And this relates to the original post how?

If it doesn't relate, then...

Imagine that the universe is fundamentally deterministic, like a clock. In such a universe, a thing that happens could not have happened differently according to the laws of physics.

Now imagine that the universe is fundamentally random, like a coin-flip. In such a universe, a thing that happens could have happened differently according to the laws of physics.

Is it really true that I can make choices in the second universe, but not the first?

And this relates to the original post how?

If it doesn't relate, then...