Determinism and Free Will examined

[Compassionist]

It is my observation that Free Will does not exist. I am a determinist or a causalitist. Everything is proceeding according to causality. Causality rules!

I also think that the dichotomy between Hard Determinism and Soft Determinism is false. There is only determinism. All things are determined by causality.

[Miles]

Why is it important to not have that true responsibility?

Excuse me, I thought you were addressing something I said.

[0JesusFreak]

Whoops! My bad.

[Angel]

It is my observation that Free Will does not exist. I am a determinist or a causalitist. Everything is proceeding according to causality. Causality rules!

I also think that the dichotomy between Hard Determinism and Soft Determinism is false. There is only determinism. All things are determined by causality.

Has it been proven that everything in reality has a cause or is there a way to prove it?

Doesn't determinism as you defined it (as opposed to limiting it to just some aspect of reality rather than "everything") lead to an infinite regress which would imply that something always existed? We can then say that existence never had a cause which goes against determinism as you've defined it.

[Cathar1950]

It is my observation that Free Will does not exist. I am a determinist or a causalitist. Everything is proceeding according to causality. Causality rules!

I also think that the dichotomy between Hard Determinism and Soft Determinism is false. There is only determinism. All things are determined by causality.

Has it been proven that everything in reality has a cause or is there a way to prove it?

Doesn't determinism as you defined it (as opposed to limiting it to just some aspect of reality rather than "everything") lead to an infinite regress which would imply that something always existed? We can then say that existence never had a cause which goes against determinism as you've defined it.

It isn't cause then effect it is cause/effect as one event called causality.
Maybe the the universe doesn't need a cause to exist as cause and effect are properties of the universe, not the other way around...
I tend to think free-will presupposes determinism and our wills are hardly free from influence or conditions. What is seen as free-will is largely the ability to respond in complex ways to complex conditions.
From our point of view any choice would be meaningless if determinism were not true.

[ChaosBorders]

It is my observation that Free Will does not exist. I am a determinist or a causalitist. Everything is proceeding according to causality. Causality rules!

I also think that the dichotomy between Hard Determinism and Soft Determinism is false. There is only determinism. All things are determined by causality.

Has it been proven that everything in reality has a cause or is there a way to prove it?

Technically not, as it depends on what quantum theory ends up being correct. But then the choice is between randomness and determinism. Free will is still not an available option.

Doesn't determinism as you defined it (as opposed to limiting it to just some aspect of reality rather than "everything") lead to an infinite regress which would imply that something always existed? We can then say that existence never had a cause which goes against determinism as you've defined it.

Although something always existing is a possibility, the more likely option I think would be quantum fluctuation starting it off. Not sure there's any known (or knowable) cause for quantum fluctuation to occur, but Cathar addresses why that is irrelevant regarding determinism once the universe came into existence. Regardless, such randomness still doesn't really do anything for free will.

[0JesusFreak]

i've been thinking and the best way to sum up free will and determinism is that each individual human being has free will but the human collective is bound to an unchangeable destiny.

[LiamOS]

i've been thinking and the best way to sum up free will and determinism is that each individual human being has free will but the human collective is bound to an unchangeable destiny.

And how do you come to that conclusion?

[0JesusFreak]

You can make any decision you want and take any path you decide but by looking at human history we always repeat ourselves and continue to fall in a downward spiral of said repetition from the dawn of recorded human history to present day society.

[LiamOS]

You can make only the decision you will make.
If you believe otherwise, please explain why.