The BlackSwordsman Forums - View topic - Does free will actually exist in real life?

Neiru. It's possible that data is pointing towards randomness, but I prefer to think that it's actually pointing at the fact that there is a lot we still don't know. That's why there are things on the quantum level that we can't explain. I find it absurd that when scientists hit a dead end they took things which they couldn't explain to be inherently unexplainable, and based on randomness or probability.

To me, a person acts with a free will if they: a. could have acted otherwise, b. act of their own volition, and c. are the originator of their own actions. Seems straightforward enough, and anything short of these properties for me is just not free will. I think people over time have changed the definition in order to save the concept, but I don't really care if it exists or not... I'm still the same person regardless.

*shrug* I find it "absurd" that you don't think randomness or probability can be considered an explanation. It makes perfect sense to me that any universe that can change or evolve would incorporate spontaneity at the fundamental level.

Oh it could be an explanation, I don't rule out the idea of randomness entirely, but I don't think that it's the natural assumption to make. Especially not when scientists are supposed to base their theories off of empirical data, not metaphysical philosophizing. That's why I find it absurd really.

When was "metaphysical philosophizing" ever mentioned in this thread? Quantum mechanics is the result of empirical data, and has the most consistent experimental track record of any other branch of physics. I'm not denying the possibility that there could eventually be found another explanation for quantum phenomena, but the current trend in modern science is the progressive de-concretization of things we took for granted as being deterministic before. It is a powerful explanation in its own right and you can't simply ignore its implications if you're going to invoke the laws of physics.

This is an interesting discussion all you hos insulting my thread can eat a fat dick you punk bitches. Anyway as I was saying I agree with the fact that perhaps exist in the fact that we accept that there things in life beyond our control and learning to accept these.

Ignoring douchebags (supposed owner of the thread) lame writing...

I really hope other dimensions don't exist, like people seem to explain quantum physics are evidence of (riiiiight). That would just be retarded.

Universe... don't let me down.

/worry

You is a douche bag buck you jigga azz busta get my 44 on ya trick!!!!

....Uh-huh. I'd rather not state the obvious and call you a dumbass. And anyways, I'm tired of people thinking with their emotions rather than their brains. Even Neiru does that. Even I do that sometimes!

So, we've established that the majority believe free will exists.
/Debate

"metaphysical philosophizing" refers to what some scientists do instead of working science, so I wasn't talking about anything in the thread. The theories are consistent with the data, but they don't follow from it, is what I'm saying. Quantum mechanics do not rely on the assumption that things are not determined, instead they rely on the correct assumption that we can't predict these things. If it were possible for us to rewind time, we might be able to test these theories of randomness, but it is not, so we can't.
Like I said though, I do not deny the plausibility of this explanation of the universe, I just think it's too soon to assume it. Regardless of that, if human actions are prompted by a random sort of luck, that's hardly what I would call free will either.

P.S.
Free will is a part of metaphysics. What we are doing in this thread "metaphysical philosophizing"

That's not what I said, either.