Is not really proof though, you could've have just equally decided of your own free will to respond to (in your opinion) a pointless thread.

Saying that because two people responded to a 'pointless thread' is proof of a lack of free will is not really proper evidence, any more than saying two people took a wrong turning in their car is proof of determinism.

 

proof of free will

 

proof of free will

Sometimes I wish there was a "Thanks" button for "useless" (but funny) posts!

 

Life is short and thus for living.
Free will means you can do as you like. It allows me to reserve the right to do as I like if upset by the likes of 'you'. No personal attack intended.
I personally think you would enjoy reading Jiddu Krishnamurti.
They have a retreat venue where your question would no doubt be answered to your satisfaction.
I've come across a few of your posts and elements of your blog. Having had episodes of profound consternation in my life I advise you to listen to what the birds are saying every time you have a deep thought, then move on and do something that requires less thought but more physical involvement.

Works for me!

Well, as you said life is short and thus for living. I have the free will to post what I want, whether it be nonsense or technical (so long as it does not violate this site's TOS, and the common good, at least in my HO). You are free not to read this topic of mine though. But who knows you are destined to post really such reply.

---

I'm gonna ask this one question.

Do you believe in Big Bang?

Then, we are just a product of many atoms... How is our mind made after all? Does our mind disobey the laws of physics, because we have free will? And it's not simply stimulus-response?

 

Well, as you said life is short and thus for living. I have the free will to post what I want, whether it be nonsense or technical (so long as it does not violate this site's TOS, and the common good, at least in my HO). You are free not to read this topic of mine though. But who knows you are destined to post really such reply.

---

I'm gonna ask this one question.

Do you believe in Big Bang?

Then, we are just a product of many atoms... How is our mind made after all? Does our mind disobey the laws of physics, because we have free will? And it's not simply stimulus-response?

I just don't have any remaining existential questioning and I've had some . I'm a tree climber and a dreamer not a scientist so your questioning is not in my reference.

.

Do I believe in Lunar landings? Lets go check it out after were done with this.

If Space is a vacuum then bang is a poor descriptor.

 

I just don't have any remaining existential questioning and I've had some . I'm a tree climber and a dreamer not a scientist so your questioning is not in my reference.

.

Do I believe in Lunar landings? Lets go check it out after were done with this.

If Space is a vacuum then bang is a poor descriptor.

I should have been more careful... The questions are not pointed to you but to general public. Well, you can answer that, too.

P.S. If it's not in your reference, so why bother? You have the free will, though. But please, do not answer me replies which won't help at all.

 

I should have been more careful... The questions are not pointed to you but to general public. Well, you can answer that, too.

P.S. If it's not in your reference, so why bother? You have the free will, though. But please, do not answer me replies which won't help at all.

Why bother?
Some people ponder about the wonder, others wander about pondering.

I was just interested in what Electronics people thought about freewill. I know what I think so I voted. Your blog had an apology in it (don't worry mines full of excuses) and I sensed you were more of a wanderer right now. To me this post is an existential crisis (conundrum) not a scientific one but I've only come from just round the block and past the lab. People who question right and wrong and cause and effect are often wrestling with inner turmoil about being who they actually are. Peoples inner turmoil interests me far more than whether God made the world or a big bang. When will we ever know?
Never been back to the moon though and frankly we'd only mess it up if we 'did'.

So I believe in Free Will but I'm not free to exercise it. This is a socio-political crisis I am engaged in daily. In post 7 you were asking further questions -now about psychology. I found this to be a leap given the depth of your initial Q. but admit the initial few answers were pretty good.

 

you could've have just equally decided of your own free will to respond to (in your opinion) a pointless thread.

No, that's an illusion that comforts the fragile nature of human confidence... This thread was destined to reappear. That is true now, and was always going to be so. None of us had any say in whether that occurred or not...

That doesn't change the fact that some of us believe we have the option to affect these 'happenings'.....

Although we seem to be the most intelligent (known) form of ape, I do think humans can rather over estimate their own importance and abilities... sometimes......

 

Sparky, I haven't posted for a while... I do not find this thread pointless... hope that was british humour on your part

I agree with rogs in that we attempt to exaggerate our own importance in Nature to great degrees. We think that because we use symbols we are all important. Philosophies and religions* are built to amplify our importance and either make us subject to a force even greater than ourselves or to create a goal of transcending our nature. It is all very interesting, but with all these natural and cultural boundaries, how can there be free will?

*disclaimer to mods: this is not an attempt to start a religious debate, I've been reading some deep psychological and philosophical literature and have been affected by some personal events, please forgive the thin line

 

Sparky, I haven't posted for a while... I do not find this thread pointless... hope that was british humour on your part

I agree with rogs in that we attempt to exaggerate our own importance in Nature to great degrees. We think that because we use symbols we are all important. Philosophies and religions* are built to amplify our importance and either make us subject to a force even greater than ourselves or to create a goal of transcending our nature. It is all very interesting, but with all these natural and cultural boundaries, how can there be free will?

*disclaimer to mods: this is not an attempt to start a religious debate, I've been reading some deep psychological and philosophical literature and have been affected by some personal events, please forgive the thin line

This is the best post yet - apart from all my own of course

 

I have always been a wanderer, thinking many things (if that is what you mean)--too plenty. But is it evil or senseless to think many things? I know I cannot find all the answers to my questions, but when I die, at least I can tell to myself, I tried searching.

I'd like to believe I have free will. I never said there is, or there is none. What I have done is just ask things. If our life is really predetermined, then we will not know when are we destined to know whether it (free will) does exist or not. And if there, is, I don't know how to answer if there is.

 

I have always been a wanderer, thinking many things (if that is what you mean)--too plenty. But is it evil or senseless to think many things? I know I cannot find all the answers to my questions, but when I die, at least I can tell to myself, I tried searching.

I'd like to believe I have free will. I never said there is, or there is none. What I have done is just ask things. If our life is really predetermined, then we will not know when are we destined to know whether it (free will) does exist or not. And if there, is, I don't know how to answer if there is.

There is a diff. between English Wander and Wonder. The point I was making is some things are ungraspable and should be accepted as such (The Wonder) and that too much wandering and pondering leads to tying oneself in philosophical knots that will only make you go round the bend (the bight in Knot Speak-bighting off more than is chewable). Sad Pun intended.

We are beginning to communicate now Lightfire.
Thinking many things shows that you care about your environment and your impact upon others - don't ever let it stop you acting though if you can and put others first - You will always be around to soak up some of their joy so its hardly selfless. Sometimes we have good and bad thoughts but actions are what really count. Sometimes I enjoy my bad thoughts then move on.

Its hard to accept our place in the world because we have no free will given to us by society (macro) even if your friends accept you as free there is always someone who won't. Society is a mass brushstroke of cheap emulsion that only dabs the good paint on people - it doesn't cover entirely. Unfortunately I still haven't learned to accept this and often butt up against 'authority'. I call that character and I'm happy to at least have one. Whether its good or bad is only judged by others.
I like to think that people who do bad things to others get it returned in this life or whatever comes after- I call this Faith. I may be wrong but I find this comforting. Sometimes I feel I could easily be an Executioner but would leave the Judging to someone else.
Someone once said to me - "Its just a ride". Meaning here we are spinning around on Earth - like a big Taxi en route to wherever. Its a lot easier to grasp than Quantum Chaos Moon Man theory but harder to hold onto in times of doubt. We easily forget the Amazingness of it all.

In my belief we are a product of Nurture and a 'happening' in nature. Of course I'm coloured by my own nurturing which was not the best I could hope for - or was it? I certainly am glad to have resolved some of the issues I see people with daily- maybe read Kalhil Gibran if you haven't yet. I was hungry for philosophy as a younger man. Now I'm trying to catch up on science because I realise the joy of being seemingly 'in control'!


Have some children. That will ruin everything you hold dear, change you worries and not give you a moment to ponder. The little sweeties.

 

Have some children? You said you looked at my posts. Dig, ponder much more and you will realize this is not the time-yet-to give me that advice.
--
Well, most of my posts, I have written when I was a lot younger. I now regret posting them here online. I now then realized many things. I wish I didn't post my questions here. It's not that I regret posting those here because those are stupid questions. I believe I didn't ask stupid. It's just that I asked the wrong questions in the wrong place and in the wrong people. Well, that was ages ago. I now regret posting them here. I'm not saying "being young" is my defense. There are a lot of younger who seems intelligent and knows ask to the right question in the right place. But I don't care.

Well, if there be any consolation, is that at least I asked sensible questions and not like the other younger generations who talk trashes in the internet.

I will now be careful with what I post online. The Lightfure's Rule of AAC won't work for me in a few more years already...

P.S. Wanderer of Wonders seems nice, though........

 

P.S. Wanderer of Wonders seems nice, though........

Yeah I like that. travelling is good - best on foot.

I didn't want nor do want to quench your thirst. You may come to know that drinking too much in one sitting is bad for you though.
Young man's angst is purely that and its a GREAT THING you experience it.
It will mellow then pass into grumpiness - maybe.
You are clearly not stupid. There are no stupid questions -we all have a different and valuable experience base. Some people are loathe to share theirs but I applaud you for being upfront.
One last piece of potted wisdom- don't get into a habit of saying -I don't care. I don't care leads inevitably to regret and its obvious you care a great deal.

See you on the other side and best wishes.

 

[
You may come to know that drinking too much in one sitting is bad for you though.

Well, I just want to add that drinking too much when you're isn't thirsty is really bad.

One last piece of potted wisdom- don't get into a habit of saying -I don't care. I don't care leads inevitably to regret and its obvious you care a great deal.

But caring too much for what other people thinks of you isn't good.

Goodluck!

 

Are you two on 'shrooms or something?

 

Are you two on 'shrooms or something?

 

Not yet - its Sunday dude.

 

Are you two on 'shrooms or something?

U obviously never tried shrooms dude. Just easing down the existential crisis. may have worked. Surprised ya'll missed it.

 

sshrooooooommsss