Determinism vs Free Will

[Squawk]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

we can change our behavior based on our imagined outcomes, that is what is new to humans. It is freer will, really, if not exactly free will

Originally Posted by lumberjim

Animals can't conceive of the option to end their existence either. Well most.... Whales do it rarely. And we do it more.

That's the proof of free will being a thing.

The fact that we have a mental life and are capable of conceptual thought, including suicide, does not I believe rule out determinism per se. As well as responding to and acting upon environmental cues, our conceptual abilities can be considered as internal functions of the brain. The central issue is that the brain is governed by physical laws, and by implication it is the brain which is the driver of behaviour, and not the mind.

Originally Posted by sexobon

I like the contention that if you believe in quantum mechanics and the uncertainty principle, you can't really believe in determinism.

As far as I am aware, neuronal activity is still considered to operate at the macro level of physics. I haven't heard of any evidence of quantum mechanics being involved.