Freewill - does it really exist?

by eyeslice 23 Replies latest jw friends

  • caliber
    caliber

    It really comes down to Freewill versus Determinism

    The Argument of Moral Responsibility states that if determinism were true, no person would be able to change his actions, therefore no one could ever be held morally responsible for his own actions. Common sense tells us that we can change our actions by our own choice.

    2. We can and have overcome our desires and inclinations. Both common sense and fact show that we can actively change our behavior. Determinism reply: We only perceive that we can change our actions and behavior.

    3. We do not feel compelled to act. At the time of a decision, we feel we have had other choices. Determinism reply: Such feelings of control are illusions; we are just ignorant of all the irresistible forces acting upon us.

    4. At a certain time we feel that we could have chosen to act differently. Determinist reply: Our behavior is already determined by previous events. Therefore you can not change your behavior.

    ii. The Implications of Determinism: Man becomes nothing more than a puppet. ( I don't feel like just a puppet )

    All the debate here is the result of external powers and forces that limit or influence any would be choice we have .

    The balance in understanding is soft determinism....( freewill like so many things is never absolute)

    An action may result from having a reason that one could not change, but the reasons themselves are not considered actions. Therefore, as long as we are not coerced, we can have a free action. An act may be entirely determined, yet be free in the sense that it was voluntary and not coerced.

    Caliber

  • myelaine
    myelaine

    dear Tired of the Hypocrisy...

    "I suppose so, do the will of the Father and live and help others to live."

    yes, just as Abel was a keeper of sheep (genesis 4:4)...so IS Jesus...

    the Scripture says...

    But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel. (hebrews 12:22-24)...

    Let brotherly love continue. (hebrews 13:1)

    love michelle

  • caliber
    caliber

    Do not allow the illusions of Determinism destroy your relative (not absolute ) Freewill ~~ Caliber

  • caliber
    caliber

    For those who feel that freewill does not truly exist.. are they not somehow forced to believe in

    Predestination ? Even in this area comes a distinction of Predestination and FOREORDAINATION

    PREDESTINATION , n. The doctrine that all things occur according to
    programme. This doctrine should not be confused with that of
    Foreordination, which means that all things are programmed, but does
    not affirm their occurrence
    , that being only an implication from other
    doctrines
    by which this is entailed( God's ultimate plan for this universe )

    "There many wide and varied roads of distinction to the ultimate hub of truth."~~ Caliber

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