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Yakk · 01-18-2004, 11:56 PM

So, can we have Free Will without violating the laws of physics?

Lets toss out a standard test.
Describe a theoretically observable side effect of having Free Will.

Describe a theoretically observable side effect of not having Free Will.

Unless you can describe your definition in that sort of sense, your term doesn't mean much to science.

Free Will means the Brain violates the laws of physics? This is just evidence that the laws of physics are incorrect, not evidence of Free Will.

The laws of physics are those laws which describe the behaviour of the universe. Insofar as any part of the universe fails to follow them, the laws of physics are flawed. This would be true if there was a soul wandering around plucking at causality or if the universe was a simulation on a computer with some high school student changing the rules at a whim.

However, you have to realize that at a very fundamental level, even if things follow the laws of physics, doesn't mean their behaviour is predictable. Even ignoring quantum mechanics, the orbits of the solar system are unpredictable in very fundamental ways.

Then you throw in quantum mechanics, where cause and effect, and even the concept of "happens" aren't easily seperated.

You could wander off into the universe of QM philosophy, and wonder what it means to have free will in a universe where every alternative happens.

01-18-2004, 11:56 PM	#48 (permalink)
Yakk Wehret Den Anfängen! Location: Ontario, Canada	So, can we have Free Will without violating the laws of physics? Lets toss out a standard test. Describe a theoretically observable side effect of having Free Will. Describe a theoretically observable side effect of not having Free Will. Unless you can describe your definition in that sort of sense, your term doesn't mean much to science. Free Will means the Brain violates the laws of physics? This is just evidence that the laws of physics are incorrect, not evidence of Free Will. The laws of physics are those laws which describe the behaviour of the universe. Insofar as any part of the universe fails to follow them, the laws of physics are flawed. This would be true if there was a soul wandering around plucking at causality or if the universe was a simulation on a computer with some high school student changing the rules at a whim. However, you have to realize that at a very fundamental level, even if things follow the laws of physics, doesn't mean their behaviour is predictable. Even ignoring quantum mechanics, the orbits of the solar system are unpredictable in very fundamental ways. Then you throw in quantum mechanics, where cause and effect, and even the concept of "happens" aren't easily seperated. You could wander off into the universe of QM philosophy, and wonder what it means to have free will in a universe where every alternative happens. __________________ Last edited by JHVH : 10-29-4004 BC at 09:00 PM. Reason: Time for a rest.