Posted by Eddie Sylvano on November 10, 2002, at 13:42:25
I'm not convinced that it exists. It would be a violation of physics if it really did. Think about it. What's controlling you? Where are the ultimate desicions made about what you're going to do? The brain is a collection of matter, evolved from much simpler designs that no one would argue posess a "will." Ours is more elaborate, and operates in an environment of variables so complex as to be hopelessly unpredictable, but it still stands to reason that the processes underlying it's operation are reducible to blind chemical interactions. The illusion is almost infinitely variable, and convincing enough to us as to render the question of our mental sovereignty silly, but that's only proof of it's effectiveness. I can't see an escape clause in the state of things that would allow us to supercede nature and be more than impressive automatons. You can dismiss me, pat your head and say "well of course I have unique volition," because, well, it just seems so, but how could it be? Where do "we" exist?
poster:Eddie Sylvano
thread:32087
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20021106/msgs/32087.html