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[quote user="Stefan Molyneux"] I always do find it most disappointing that determinists simply do not seem to have the intelligence to grasp this basic fact: If I steadfastly maintain that Zeus does not control the weather, it makes absolutely no sense to write a long letter to Zeus indicating...
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[quote user="sven"] so on the one hand your saying only a free will justice system would use punishment but then you say that a determinist justice system should use punishment as a deterrant to crime. ie as prevention. so doesnt it seem completely cruel to punish someone even though they had...
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[quote user="nexalacer"] Funny, the deterministic justice system you propose is the same sort we talk about here, though we also like to talk about free will. Since there's a paradox, I'd suggest a checking of premises... are you arguing a man full of straw, or are have you seen the...
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[quote user="Stefan Molyneux"] Oh, then I am a determinist, since we can legitimately attempt to influence the minds and beliefs of others, and hold them to a higher standard, and also tell them that they are responsible for their actions. [/quote] A higher standard than what? The phrase "a...
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[quote user="bockman"] Well, those are very interesting theories, thanks for sharing them. Free will still exists, so I guess you could say that my opinion remains unswayed, which means that your theory is incorrect. I have chosen to not change my opinion. Thanks! [/quote] Please don't...
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[quote user="GregG"] Haha! The dude's handle is "I don't like you"! As if he had a choice whether to like you, or not, according to his doctrine.... ...and it's pretty amusing how determinists like to pretend that causal explanations somehow automatically rule out choice...
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[quote user="Stefan Molyneux"] I want you to change your mind to the position that you cannot change your mind...[/quote] Determinism does not state or imply that one cannot change their mind. As a matter of fact determinism says quite the opposite. It says that our minds change to internal...
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(Edition: Second Draft. Added word count: 2400.) First, I'd like to ask for a couple of courtesies. If you don't agree with anything in the following post, stop right there, don't bother reading the rest, and ask me about it. I suggest asking specifically because it will keep you focused...
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CCS: I think the division falls along the lines of free will and determinism. If its determined then it is the natural course. If there is a concious decision to deliberately change this natural course by will it is synthetic. If beavers are conciously choosing to change the natural course then it would...
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Stef talked about one possible psychological basis of determinism as a defense mechanism which allows people to forgive bad parents. Here is another theory. Assumptions: There is a conscious brain and a subconscious brain It is possible for the conscious brain to reprogram/redirect/influence the subconscious...