Philosophical Speculations

I'm only assuming that in any given action there is always some subliminal influence and context that must be factored in, beyond whatever metacognitive thought process goes into it, and so it's never entirely free of such subliminal factors, however much one imagines that it could be entirely free...

Well, in any given situation there are any number of actions that can be taken, but the point remains that rare, if ever, is it the case that any action is completely free of any and all subliminal influences and context having to be factored in. Assuming Determinism, are there "any number of ...

Let us suppose, for the sake of the argument, that we have no free will. Okay, then. What must follow from that is that all of our thoughts, words and deeds are predetermined by physical laws of causation. We do not choose them; they are imposed on us. We are conscious witnesses to our own lives, b...

That raises a whole question whether we should chose our beliefs or metaphysical views based on their philosophical validity or truthfulness, or based on their social or psychological effects and benefits (or may be some compromise between both)? That is an interesting question. I tend to lean heav...

This freedom that may or may not exist, how would it manifest if it did exist? If it exists in some form (somewhere in the space between determinism and randomness - if that's even possible), it would manifest in studies, like in the link mentioned above, and many other aspects of everyday life. It...

I understand why many people are concerned about the issue of free will but honestly I don't understand the point either way? I don't think the free will issue has much of a bearing on idealism and with or without it we can still be idealists. Whether there is free will or not you're always going t...

New NTA interview is up ... Another great interview with Mishlove; they never fail to produce a fascinating conversation. One thing I always appreciated in Kastrup's analysis is his healthy skepticism, even towards anecdotes that might fit his metaphysical model. A constructive balance between open...

findingblanks wrote: ↑Fri Apr 02, 2021 3:46 am Haven't read the whole thread yet.

Kastrup is great in showing why "free will" is a red herring.

Kastrap is not great when he then contradicts himself by saying that we are free when we resisit outside determinations.

I think you pretty much captured the theme of the thread..

Have you read this one? BK: Yes, Free Will Exists - Just ask Schopenhauer some quotes: if I believe that I make free choices, it is because I feel that my choices are determined by me . A free choice is one determined by my preferences, likes, dislikes, character, etc., as opposed to someone else’s...