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Through the wormhole
Dave in Tenn:
As is usual with this show, they 'explored' a number of different viewpoints, and didn't come to any firm conclusions. Seemed to me that with at least some of the viewpoints, they have the same problem 'defining' the term "free-will" accurately--as if someone can accurately define something that doesn't exist. I was watching with one eye and 'seeing' scripture with my other eye. ;D
The last viewpoint expressed was the "moral" one...that even if free-will didn't exist, it was good for humanity to believe in it as the belief itself caused people to behave more responsibly. Me? I'm not sure that 1. This is true, and 2. That this is what the Lord wants in the short-term.
All of the viewpoints were interesting and all seemed to lend scientific credence to free-will being an illusion. The first one was the most interesting to me, but I'd have to watch it again to explain it. Seems our subconscious mind (or maybe it's the unconscious) determines our choices even before we know there is a choice to make...or certainly before our conscious mind makes the choice.
I'm curious if anybody else saw it and what thoughts they had.
Rene:
--- Quote from: Dave in Tenn on July 25, 2013, 04:33:22 PM ---
I'm curious if anybody else saw it and what thoughts they had.
--- End quote ---
I stumbled upon this episode last night after it had started. I did not know you had given us a heads up that it was coming on. I watched with a "side eye" because I knew it wasn't going to come to a conclusion based on truth. However, I was intrigued by the attempt of a scientist to prove scientifically that man does not have free will. Ultimately, I got bored and didn't watch the entire episode. :P
René
cjwood:
it was good for humanity to believe in it as the belief itself caused people to behave more responsibly.
dave, your statement above reminded me of something ray wrote about once with regards to the catholic church wanting to control the masses by fear of a hell that did not exist. the world at large is still holding on to the fairy tale myths of so many actual lies. alas, this is All of the Father...
claudia
se7en:
Very interesting.
"It was good for humanity to believe in it as the belief itself caused people to behave more responsibly."
I'm like Dave... I'm not too sure that's a true statement.
I mean virtually everyone... EVERYONE believes in "free will". And look at how responsible we act (humankind as a whole).
And Claudia you hit the nail on the head!
Dave in Tenn:
To be fair, the 'experiment' did provide evidence that individuals tended to act more responsibly after seeing repeated messages affirming "free-will", and less responsibly after reading messages affirming "determinism", though I didn't see anything in the messages they showed any suggestion of Who is doing the determining. This kind of 'social-science' evidence is not exactly "hard science".
But its not something I've never thought about...to acknowledge a sovereign God in control of everything does seem to leave some people (me included) with a sense of free-fall. Coming to realization made me a little 'crazy' for a while. ;D
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