Artemis

That depends on a whole host of things: 1. What do you mean by "people"? 2. What do you mean by "are created"? 3. What do you mean by "equal"?

Lol. I'm not that OCD. I just think in real life, the things we call "random" or "on a whim" just seem to be that way and are actually products of my ...

That's question-begging, imho. On what basis is a person intending to do something on a whim? Even having the impetus to a whim is a cause.

There are many examples of actions that you can theoretically take without actually being "in control." Like, when you sleepwalk, or are under the inf...

That's just the thing--in your hypothetical, it doesn't matter really. You're not using any part of "you" to make the decision, you're just acting. Fu...

We're going around in circles. I simply don't see how you could call something that's a random whim under your control. But I guess we'll have to agre...

If you're just doing it by whim or randomly, I don't see how you can call it "controlled" by anyone.

I'm a Western materialist type and I can only make sense of rebirth in a few ways: Literally as zombies: reviving the body before major cell damage ha...

On what basis are you causing it? I mean, why are you choosing A over B?

Well, not continental, but still highly readable was Peter Lamarque's "Philosophy of Literature." I just finished it, and it's a fantastic survey of i...

If you are biasing them, isn't that a cause?

Well, anything is (strictly speaking) possible, I suppose. My response to that would be the same as my response to madfool, in that until it is more t...

I concede that it is entirely possible that there is something we do not currently understand that seems mystical now but could be considered scientif...

Because I'm not sure I follow what you even mean by it, how you think it would work, or that it's relevant. But if you elucidate more clearly what it ...

Aw, thanks, I take that as a compliment! :blush: So, I think probabilistic predictions aren't necessarily indicative of choice. Take randomness: yes, ...

No. But that's the consequence of trying to do away with reason, which I guess is your choice.

As far as I can tell, the definition of "random" is "proceeding, made, or occurring without definite aim, reason, or pattern." So, an uncaused freewil...

I'm glad I asked then!

I'm curious, how do you square that sentiment with your avatar's slogan "live free or DIE"?

Done.

Look, you're clearly into this whole mantra-like, cliche-riddled mystical jargon, but I'm not and I don't see us having a fruitful conversation since ...

Anyone know what's up lately with all the mystical, relativist, Buddhist types in the forum wanting to dispense life advice at the close of a conversa...

Why is it that all y'all mystical, relativist types want to dispense (unrequested) advice to others? It's like you all have this drive to be the "sage...

You've stopping making sense here.

Now you're starting with the voodoo buddhist lingo, which relies on confused terminology. You are ALWAYS yourself, because you cannot be anything but ...

Although we only have a concept of "roundness" due to the existence of not-round things, in itself the curve of the surface is a quality of the object...

Well, wasn't it Aristotle who observed that "everything is what it is and not some other thing"? Which is true, but it's a description of the basic la...

No, I don't believe they would be. Especially if you're not aware of options. Choice implies both having options and making a judgment call between th...

You're jumbling up different kinds of qualities, though. There are descriptive qualities like round, 5 feet tall, 7 pounds heavy, etc. that are inhere...

And then on what basis are you deciding things? If you make choices absent any good reasoning, or just absent any cause, are they really choices? Woul...

There are two things at stake here: 1. The theoretical concept of a "free will" that denotes uncaused choices and actions. 2. The concept of "free wil...

You're forgetting one part: I have read it. And based on that, I scoff.

Cause you follow it into a magical land where everything is confused and unreal. Definitely overstating the case here. He is AN influential voice, but...

I knew it! This has all just been one long info-mercial. "Quick! Act now and you'll get not 1, not 2, but 3 hours of mystical wannabe science for the ...

I didn't know the two were mutually exclusive. Ah, shoot, now I have to decide between my books and my weights? Argh, it's like Sophie's Choice! If on...

I think the odds are the other way around, actually. It's more likely that an opaque piece is garbage than that it is useful. The difference between K...

That does actually sound interesting. I'm not aware of his work, and so cannot comment on how he employs Nietzche. I will say that if it's similar to ...

Twinkies contain beef fat! Personally, I prefer NutterButters and GS Thin Mints to satisfy my vegan munchies :wink:

You may be stuck in a 67 year old body, but you sure sound about 13 or 15 at heart. :joke:

Go ahead and ignore me then if you can't keep your cool. To quote some actual young'uns: "you started it!"

I just think it's too funny that you think you can deduce my age from the fact that I simply do not agree with you. I mean, that's just the epitome of...

Your inability to use logic is showing here.

I actually don't think it's my supposed "snottiness" that's getting to you. I think you just have nothing to counter and you're irritated that you can...

Now you just went from illogical to beyond ridiculous. Yes, it's religious dogma if I have to do some voodoo carp like meditation to ascertain some il...

Sorry, but your assertions seem to amount to little more than faith. You keep waving at some unknown unknowable realm that can't be seen or heard or r...

Yup, I agree. Except, there is no realm where not using logic is useful.

:rofl: :lol: :snicker:

And you're not trying to turn your worldview into a universal maxim? You certainly sound like you're making universal claims about reality and human n...

You can go down that rabbit hole if you choose to. I have no interest in it. That which is nonsensible is simply not of interest to me. But don't say ...

Yeah, but it's THE tool. You literally can't make sense without it.