Free Will
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A Viewpoint
Many people believe that humans (and quite possibly
some small monkeys) have something they call "free will".
The reasons they believe this are many and varied, but
they are in fact beliefs. Note that we are not suggesting
that they think there is such a thing as free will; this would
be flawed on a quite major point. The smarter amongst
you will quickly spot that thought implies some sort of
logical process going on in a brain, which is precisely the
sort of deterministic mechanics that free will believers claim
is somehow suspended in order to allow them to take
actions other than those directly caused by simple (well,
OK, not so simple) chemical reactions within their brains.
They might not realise that this is what they are arguing,
but ultimately that's what it comes down to.
some small monkeys) have something they call "free will".
The reasons they believe this are many and varied, but
they are in fact beliefs. Note that we are not suggesting
that they think there is such a thing as free will; this would
be flawed on a quite major point. The smarter amongst
you will quickly spot that thought implies some sort of
logical process going on in a brain, which is precisely the
sort of deterministic mechanics that free will believers claim
is somehow suspended in order to allow them to take
actions other than those directly caused by simple (well,
OK, not so simple) chemical reactions within their brains.
They might not realise that this is what they are arguing,
but ultimately that's what it comes down to.
By the Small Monkey
There are also plenty of people who think that free will
does not exist - that it is an illusion caused by any one of a
myriad of possible factors. They often point to the
chemistry of the brain, some sort of unspecified "higher
power" guiding our actions, evolution, or something
entirely different (we think Tom Cruise is guided by his
leprechaun kinsfolk).
does not exist - that it is an illusion caused by any one of a
myriad of possible factors. They often point to the
chemistry of the brain, some sort of unspecified "higher
power" guiding our actions, evolution, or something
entirely different (we think Tom Cruise is guided by his
leprechaun kinsfolk).
One could get into all sorts of metaphysical arguments.
We at Small Monkey Productions choose not to. We
simply point this out: If free will does exist, then you are
responsible for your own actions. Perhaps you should
consider following the Way of the Small Monkey - It won't
get you into heaven, but it may make you a happier and
more productive individual.
If on the other hand free will does not exist, then
everything that happens is entirely outside your control.
However, we are willing to bet that if something nasty
happens to your family, you'll be looking for an individual
to blame, rather than assessing the whole thing as down to
pure statistical chance within the brain chemistry of an
individual.
We at Small Monkey Productions choose not to. We
simply point this out: If free will does exist, then you are
responsible for your own actions. Perhaps you should
consider following the Way of the Small Monkey - It won't
get you into heaven, but it may make you a happier and
more productive individual.
If on the other hand free will does not exist, then
everything that happens is entirely outside your control.
However, we are willing to bet that if something nasty
happens to your family, you'll be looking for an individual
to blame, rather than assessing the whole thing as down to
pure statistical chance within the brain chemistry of an
individual.
So we come to the real dichotomy - even if free will does
not exist, human beings (and some small monkeys) are
evidently hard-wired to believe that it does. This means
that since at the very least the illusion of free will is clearly
strong enough for most people, you might as well not worry
about it and simply act as if you are responsible for your
own actions. Try it - you may find it refreshing.
not exist, human beings (and some small monkeys) are
evidently hard-wired to believe that it does. This means
that since at the very least the illusion of free will is clearly
strong enough for most people, you might as well not worry
about it and simply act as if you are responsible for your
own actions. Try it - you may find it refreshing.