This thread is for the discussion of whether or not we actually have Free Will or whether we are simply programmed with our DNA or natural conditioned responses.

We are told that we have free will to choose. Are our brains like a computer? Why do some people make good choices and other people make bad choices?

I believe that freedom is paramount, and free will is granted to all who become to some degree conscious of self.

My definition of "self" is the "I am." within us that perceives our own existence.

Do we have free will or are we puppets or robots subject to brain washing and programing. Or is it a little bit of both?

Jeannie

Please check out the dvd "The Secret"

All your questions will be answered concerning free will!

Cheers,

John

So it sounds like there are three choices here, although you didn't mention any deity:

1) free will

2) Genetically conditioned responses

3) Divine plan


I pick free will.

We are not robots, and we make choices everyday.....either good or bad, so yes I believe we have free will.

I believe we do, to an extent. Life is like being in a huge forest, there are many pathes we can take, but they all have a predetermined destiny, IMO.

Free will is what sets us apart from all other creatures.

I agree. sometimes is easier to make the wrong choices because it feels good, or that is what we want; however, still our own choice and have to pay the consecuences of the bad choices we make.

Do you want fries with that? It is your choice!
What could be clearer?

You DO want fries though don't you?!
Disturbing....

Jeannie...

Tomorrow...

My response will inevitably be longer than I would care to stay awake tonight...

Are you saying that only humans have free will? That an animal cannot choose? That they have no character only breeding?

I know of a story of a German Shepard dog who was bred and trained to be a war dog. It failed all the training and refused to make the final test to kill and maim. He was destroyed for his decision.

He went to dog heaven of course.

IF you look up the defination of "free will" its say a will without influence. Hate to open a can of worms here, but I believe our whole lives are guided and everything that happens to us influences us to make the decisions that we make. So free will no, I don't believe in free will, I do not believe we are robots or puppets either. I beleive each of us is for a reason and a purpose and to fulfill that purpose.

Its like when people say, everything happens for a reason, I absolutly believe that but when people say that do they mean "everything" or just some things.

I just think it has to be logical. The good lord above created us with a plan in mind he used "people" to write his word and he put an ending in it too. Everything we do is a means to and end. We can't change the ending any more then we can the beginning.

But, I would never critize anyone else for how they believe or what they believe because believing as I do that everyone here is here in a plan that was made perfect, by a perfect being, how could I.

Basically, I agree, but I also believe animals have free will as well. They just tend to be driven more by their instincts, as humans are more driven by free will

A radical behaviourist in the 50's suggested something pretty similar to what you're talking about. B.F. Skinner suggested that there was no such thing as free will since, according to him and most behaviourists, that all of our decisions are based on our genetics. Personally, I'm not sure and behaviourism has largely been rejected since then because people don't want to think of themselves as robots. I'm pretty sure that's what Skinner's research suggested anyway...

That's okay, we love worms...

Yes I agree that we are certainly influenced and those influences effect our growth towards learning to love. But I believe that in spite of influence, we can make decisions based on love and on what we innately know is right. I believe when we find a connection to God, and when we take responsibility for our lives and our decisions, we are empowered to use free will.

I will say that most of our decisions are programed responses.
But not all of them. If we are keen and pay attention we will come to a point in our life where we know that next decision will change our life forever. It could be a bad decision or a good one. But we know. Something inside speaks to us.

Jeannie

Well, at least my will is very cheap!

That's my story and I'm sticking to it...

I guess I just believe that if the lord above is in absolute power then he either knows what we are going to do or he doesn't. I just don't believe in taking any power away from him and believe that "people" like to take the credit away from him and be able to say "I did this or I did that". Sure we do things that we know may end badly, but isn't that how we learn and grow? If we did everything right we would learn nothing.

We are moved at all times by all our experinces to make the decisions we make. Yes I even believe that he knows and influences whether we get a salad at McDonalds or a big chocolate shake lol.

But did our Creator not give us the ability to chose to believe or not to believe in Him; to worship or not worship Him? To me that is the ultimate free will.

We do learn by our mistakes. That is for sure.
But I don't think our God given free will takes any Power away from that which we call God.

By the way, God is a she not a he.
Just kidding.
God is really an It.

Do you think there is sex in heaven?


Jeannie

Free will is free will. You either use it or loose it.

(Sounds familiar for some reason.)