3 ms·
Or, if sub-atomic particles can behave truly randomly, then perhaps they might have free will, deciding what to do for themselves, which we can only see as rand
by lanaer 17y ago
Or, if sub-atomic particles can behave truly randomly, then perhaps they might have free will, deciding what to do for themselves, which we can only see as randomness (I do not think this is true, it’s just an interesting thought). Sadly, that does not grant us free will, only randomness.
Basically, we are completely mechanistic above the quantum level. At that level may exist some randomness, but if so, it’s just acting like a random number generator, where the generated numbers are then fed into the deterministic process that is ourselves.
- danielmims 17y agoGood points. I would take it a bit further by noting that a defense of non-trivial free will cannot rely upon quantum mechanics (or any other engine of unpredictability). By non-trivial free will, I mean a kind of free will that allows for some control over what is being willed. The thesis describing a wholly causal universe is known as "determinism." The thesis of a less-than-wholly causal universe, no matter the degree to which strong causality governs, is known as "indeterminism." Together, they describe the entire set of possible worlds. Because free will is impossible in either case, free will is thus absolutely impossible, no matter what.