We discussed today in class that sometimes, the scientist is the one being controlled by a more powerful entity. If we are all scientists, this entity could be recognized as fate, which governs all of our behavior from the time we are born to whatever death we shall suffer.
Ever heard of scientific determinism? There are many types [of determinism], but as a basic overview in this one, everything in this world can be determined from previous variables. Think of this as a giant mathematical model that can determine the future with past and present variables. Basically, everything in the past has a direct, causal relationship with everything in the future.
This has a profound series of implications. If an all powerful entity was governing our lives down to the smallest detail, how could there be free will? Wouldn't it just be an illusion, since an action would just be an Effect of an earlier Cause? By infinite ascent from the present, it would go all the way back to the beginning of time. We, then, are just variables in an impossibly larger plan by this great entity.
What do you think?
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That's a very depressing thought. I think that it might kind of be like the movie The Matrix. If there is a larger entity and you know it is controlling you does that mean you are still following the entity's master plan?
ReplyDeleteHow does this controller know that the variables will behave in the way they want. For instance with chemistry you do not know if the chemicals are going to react exactly right. You can measure the most precise possible but still something could happen. There are so many influences that to control it all might not be possible. Therefore, free will would exist, because not every detail can be covered.
So from what I've read, you're saying we're all puppets to some unseen entity called fate?
ReplyDeleteIf that's the case, I say BS. People have the ability to chose what actions they want to take for themselves, it's not as if a person's life is already inscribed in some sort of stone saying what he's going to do, or what's going to happen for that matter.
Yes, I agree with Cosmo. Essentially you're trying to say that everything in our lives is determined for us, and despite what we do, things are going to end the same? I would have to disagree with this concept simply because I'd like to think that there is not a larger entity at work controlling my every move. I think that every action we make as humans, every decision we make--it's all up to us, we are the ones controlling it--nobody else. I think that if our day was dissected into every thought and action, most is completely spontaneous and based on what we desire to do, which is why therefore, I believe our future is up to us. We write the final script.
ReplyDeleteLol you mean with Ed? I haven't actually expressed an opinion yet.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how all three of you believe that we control our own actions. Most of the world would probably agree. But then again, it's not like this can be proven either way.
Personally, I occasionally believe in free will, and other times that everything is already predetermined. Sometimes it's as if something is 'destined', and it's this feeling that makes it seem as if the puppeteer exists.