Free will? Destiny?

[Phidell]

Loads of you have probably heard of/came up with this yourself before, but for those of you who haven't, consider this.

Atoms bounce off one another, reacting randomly.

They form more complex molecules, eventually organic in nature.

These molecules react with each other, and form bigger structures, no higher control, just reacting.

These structures eventually become more and more complex, until you have things like us.

Now, when did you gain control of atoms?

All you are is atoms, you cannot control them. They react together without your influence. Your thoughts are just chemicals reacting, and electronic impulses reacting to stimulus, you aren't in control of the chemicals in your head, or how your neurons react to these chemicals, they are what makes your consciousness, you don't make them.

They DO change/react with time, but don't confuse this with being in control. They react to the senses, changing the composition of your mind.

Free will is an illusion, such a good illusion that it doesn't really matter that you aren't in control.

[rocketman]

A few of us in chat have been kicking around the idea of how it is possible for a computer program that takes into account: family history, dna, brain wiring, etc. being able to determine your every decision. If even only based on you past decisions this would be an extremely accurate progam.

Free will loses its meaning when you look at is as if your path is already pre determined by who and what you are. A child that doesnt steal from another child will likely not steal in most cases. Choice or programming by parents, school, etc.?

I am being truthful when I say my belief on this is fluid aka wishy washy. It is not so difficult to believe all my actions are based on previous input and responses.

My only firm belief is it does not matter or make any difference for us at all.
The only thing that matters is right here right now. The love we share and the relationships we cultivate.

[Phidell]

Originally Posted by rocketman

My only firm belief is it does not matter or make any difference for us at all.
The only thing that matters is right here right now. The love we share and the relationships we cultivate.

Spot on.

[wildburr]

Agreed.

[aumbrellaforainydays]

Originally Posted by Phidell

Now, when did you gain control of atoms?

All you are is atoms, you cannot control them. They react together without your influence. Your thoughts are just chemicals reacting, and electronic impulses reacting to stimulus, you aren't in control of the chemicals in your head, or how your neurons react to these chemicals, they are what makes your consciousness, you don't make them.

They DO change/react with time, but don't confuse this with being in control. They react to the senses, changing the composition of your mind.

Free will is an illusion, such a good illusion that it doesn't really matter that you aren't in control.

if we cannot control atoms, yet we think it is us that reacts,
and our thoughts are the effect of chemicals reacting to a stimulus.
if we think we are the one reacting,
could neurons react upon that?
could indeterminate neurons be 'trained' to react determinately?
and since our brain functions without us controlling it,
would it be possible so that neurons could remember the patterns of repeated stimuli so that they may efficiently react quicker the next time that stimulus is encountered?

so who is it who is deciding whether or not to smoke a joint?
every added instance of smoking (stimulus) creates a familiar sequence of pleasing chemical signals, which pass on to us, the user that we enjoy it or not. are we just the collection of our senses reacting to the joint, or are we determining the reactions of our neurons response to our repeated chemical inundation of THC?

what i believe: mind is more than matter, at the smallest division exist no thought and all thought. whether we control it or not, could be that ultimate question...

[~Hippie3]

Originally Posted by Phidell

Loads of you have probably heard of/came up with this yourself before, but for those of you who haven't, consider this.

Atoms bounce off one another, reacting randomly.

They form more complex molecules, eventually organic in nature.

These molecules react with each other, and form bigger structures, no higher control, just reacting.

These structures eventually become more and more complex, until you have things like us.

Now, when did you gain control of atoms?

All you are is atoms, you cannot control them. They react together without your influence. Your thoughts are just chemicals reacting, and electronic impulses reacting to stimulus, you aren't in control of the chemicals in your head, or how your neurons react to these chemicals, they are what makes your consciousness, you don't make them.

They DO change/react with time, but don't confuse this with being in control. They react to the senses, changing the composition of your mind.

Free will is an illusion, such a good illusion that it doesn't really matter that you aren't in control.

quite a number of un-proved premises/assumptions
biases the question in favor of your pre-existent conclusion.