Free Will

[1955]

This series “What Is Free Will – Closer To Truth” presents many episodes that investigates what it is and if we have it – very interesting and informative. Things are not always clear-cut as humans would like to think.

It’s a lot to take in but I think worth the effort. Many, many different aspects. Something to ponder before we go off and claim free will.

 

[Snow74]

If we are to believe that we humans do not in fact have free will...does that not give credence to the belief that someone or something else is to blame for our present situation? (honestly asking not wanting to be opposite)

 

[Alligatorob]

If we are to believe that we humans do not in fact have free will...does that not give credence to the belief that someone or something else is to blame for our present situation?

I must not have much, others are to blame for all my problems, LOL.

You do make a good point, though a lot of things guide our actions in the end we have to accept responsibility, we do have the power of free will.

 

[Lara]

This series “What Is Free Will – Closer To Truth” presents many episodes that investigates what it is and if we have it – very interesting and informative. Things are not always clear-cut as humans would like to think. It’s a lot to take in but I think worth the effort. Many, many different aspects. Something to ponder before we go off and claim free will.

There are so many episodes in so many directions in your link...so I chose with my free will lol... to watch 2 interviews based on "Physics" from your link since I couldn't imagine what they would have to say. The first woman was not saying anything definitive. The 2nd man said said right off, "I prefer to talk about responsibility rather than free will" then started relating that to Quantum theory. Huh? Okay, it's just not that complicated in my mind. I have free will to choose because God created me to have it. It's just that simple...for me anyway.
`

 

[1955]

There are so many episodes in so many directions in your link...so I chose with my free will lol... to watch 2 interviews based on "Physics" from your link since I couldn't imagine what they would have to say. The first woman was not saying anything definitive. The 2nd man said said right off, "I prefer to talk about responsibility rather than free will" then started relating that to Quantum theory. Huh? Okay, it's just not that complicated in my mind. I have free will to choose because God created me to have it. It's just that simple...for me anyway.
`

Thanks for your input. It’s a discussion….

I know it’s a bit much to take in but it provide viewpoints from many scholars and disciplines providing other viewpoint. This is how I open my mind to other possibilities. Sitting static on one idea take us nowhere & the world continues to be conflicted.

Personally I don’t believe in the traditional sense of God and feel my free will (if I have any) comes from a deeper source of consciousness embedded in the universe – not the God religion cites. I think all life taps into this.

So I’m just suggesting we try to open our minds a little and in the meantime accept other as they believe without judgment. We are all still evolving & it’s important to seek the truth to do so.

Anyway, I know were not going to solve this issue here but we can learn to be more open minded & accepting.

 

[fuzzybuddy]

If we get hungry, is it "free will" that determines if we'll fill our stomachs? Do cult members exercise "free will"? When we walk into a voting booth and vote, did we vote on emotion, or "free will"? I think "free wiill" is how much control over his actions a person has. And from there, it gets rather murky. When you start factoring in emotions, intentions, histories, health, genetics situations and a million other forces, it gets complicated really fast.

 

[Lara]

If we get hungry, is it "free will" that determines if we'll fill our stomachs? Yes, freely we choose to eat or starve whether or not food is available

Do cult members exercise "free will"? Yes, they are people too with the ability to choose right or wrong, hurtful or helpful, etc

When we walk into a voting booth and vote, did we vote on emotion, or "free will"? Yes and Yes

I think "free wiill" is how much control over his actions a person has. One still has complete control of their choices...right or wrong, hurtful or helpful, etc whether or not the options are available

And from there, it gets rather murky. When you start factoring in emotions, intentions, histories, health, genetics situations and a million other forces, it gets complicated really fast.
After you factor in all those mentioned...it's still your own choice no matter what your your emotion is at the time, whether you're healthy or not, whether you have intentions of good or evil. Your choices are moving forward. You can't change the past history or genetics but you can choose to improve it or ruin it. That's your free will to do.

...and I say all that with an open mind and not mentioning God
`

 

[Lara]

Personally I don’t believe in the traditional sense of God and feel my free will (if I have any) comes from a deeper source of consciousness embedded in the universe – not the God religion cites. I think all life taps into this....Anyway, I know were not going to solve this issue here but we can learn to be more open minded & accepting.

My open-minded response is this:
The only difference of where our source of Free Will is coming from is that yours is from a deep source of consciousness that is "embedded in the Universe" and my deep source of consciousness is embedded in "my heart, my soul, and my mind" which is deeply aware of the creation of the Universe and beyond into infinity or eternity. And I didn't mention "God".

 

[Medusa]

I haven't watched the series and so won't give an opinion here, but wanted to note that I was recently engaged in a similar discussion on Reddit which also got down to the subatomic level. There's a good arguement there. -- I'll try to catch the series. Thanks for posting it.

 

[Paco Dennis]

 

[1955]

If we get hungry, is it "free will" that determines if we'll fill our stomachs? Do cult members exercise "free will"? When we walk into a voting booth and vote, did we vote on emotion, or "free will"? I think "free wiill" is how much control over his actions a person has. And from there, it gets rather murky. When you start factoring in emotions, intentions, histories, health, genetics situations and a million other forces, it gets complicated really fast.

You're pretty tough on fuzzybear. He was just posing questions about several instances and you are able to succinctly answers all of them. That infers to me a person with a close mind. For instant, a person will not starve themselves to death if food is present. Self preservation will kick in and overrides free will - you will not have a choice. A similar argument could made in all his cases but you're so sure that free will is easily applied. It's not that simple.

My open-minded response is this:
The only difference of where our source of Free Will is coming from is that yours is from a deep source of consciousness that is "embedded in the Universe" and my deep source of consciousness is embedded in "my heart, my soul, and my mind" which is deeply aware of the creation of the Universe and beyond into infinity or eternity. And I didn't mention "God".

OK, my belief is subject to change as we learn more.

 

[Mandee]

I think there are instances where someone could be in such a situation that they have to do - or not do - things 'against' their will because they don't really have a viable/personal choice. People can sometimes be 'forced' into situations that they would not otherwise 'freely choose'.

So, while I agree that 'free will' and personal responsibility may exist in general, I also believe there are 'exceptions' to both.