tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676228612840808018.post4585346170240136459..comments2022-11-24T02:57:25.413-06:00Comments on Come Lord Jesus: An Argument Against Compatibilist/Calvinistic "Freedom"guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05548883062420560488noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676228612840808018.post-67046425562556918992009-11-28T23:18:28.094-06:002009-11-28T23:18:28.094-06:00i think there are two basic worries felt by both l...i think there are two basic worries felt by both libertarians and compatibilists when it comes to issues of responsible actions. First, a "source" worry. In order for my actions to be *my* actions, i need to be the author of them in a way that the past and the laws of nature are not. Second, a "bringing-things-about" worry. In order for my actions to be my *actions,* the manner of their generation needs to be significantly distinguishable from mere happenings. My premeditated murder of Jones has to be somehow distinct from an intense muscle spasm in my back. <br /><br />Some libertarians think you've got to have Alternative Possiblities in order for these worries to be aleved. Some libertarians even think you need some sort of "Agent Causation" power that is qualitatively different from event causation. <br /><br />i'm really not sure that these worries hinge on either AP or AC. But i do think that the compatibilist view doesn't really take care of them. If determinism is true, it's hard for me to see how i'm not merely 'riding a wave' of causes at any given time rather than *me* *acting.* i think if the compatibilist is right, then the past and the laws of nature really aren't any different in relation to my freedom than is these various hypothetical coersion devices i've talked about in my post. <br /><br />As far as predictability goes--i understand that freedom and foreknowledge can be a paradox. Being able to predict my behavior with total accuracy might puzzle me over how "free" i was in behaving. Nevertheless, there have been a variety of ways "out" of that paradox. Some of them really stink. Some of them aren't so bad. i think a lot of the tensions between the two come from libertarian intuitions--accurate prediction implies i couldn't have done otherwise. But like i said above, i'm really not sure that responsibility hinges on alternative possibilities. So if someone could predict which flavor of ice cream i would choose, i'm inclined to think that doesn't impinge on the notion that i will generate that choice freely. But i'm by no means suggesting i know how it all works.guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05548883062420560488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676228612840808018.post-58114983310394985862009-11-28T19:46:26.107-06:002009-11-28T19:46:26.107-06:00An interesting question, it seems to me, is what a...An interesting question, it seems to me, is what are the actual mechanisms of choice? There is a lot going on in the brain when we make choices. Much more than mere conscious thought. In fact, some studies have suggested that they can read your mind - ie: predict your choices by monitoring electric activity that is pre-conscious they can tell which you will choose between 3 types of ice cream before you yourself know it. If choice is in part pre-conscious it does suggest that there is some pretty severe restriction on freedom as we usually define it. Our desires may well be beyond our complete control.<br /><br />I don't like this calvinist forumlation any more than you do. Since I have a relatively low view of human volition, I also have a relatively low view of human responsibility. At the same time is it remotely satisfying to say that the holocaust was "beyond our control"? I think not. <br /><br />So what are good and evil if choice is impure, compromised, restricted?Aric Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15241157655075444268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676228612840808018.post-3024235213091679782008-10-01T20:59:00.000-05:002008-10-01T20:59:00.000-05:00Brother you are deep man. We are making a move in...Brother you are deep man. We are making a move in ministry. Come read about it. To the West we go.Matthewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12804021069554494090noreply@blogger.com