This post seemed inevitable due to recent discussion on predestination and cause and effect. So do human beings have free will? Can we actually decide what it is we want for ourselves, or are we bound by the incomprehensible environment factors that eventually lead us to an inevitable path?
I’d like to start by refreshing your memories of The Matrix (Reloaded & Revolutions). If you recall, one of the central themes of the trilogy was fate and inevitability. One conversation stuck in my mind is with the Oracle (if you don’t know, she is a know-it-all) and Neo (the main character played by the dull and boring actor Keanu Reeves).
Neo: “But if you already know [what’s going to happen], how can I make a choice?”
The Oracle: “Because you didn’t come here to make the choice, you’ve already made it. You’re here to try to understand why you made it.”
That quote right there pretty much described free will and predestination, but it doesn’t explain it. If predestination of the universe was a given, then free will for humans would be part of the universe and conclusively predetermined. It’s hard to imagine that free will, something sacred and so crucial to human beings, is (in this theory) a completely trivial matter only to compensate the mind as an illusion. That probably overwhelmed you already.
Think about it physically, though. You do things based on motivations, desires, and consequences. Your mind decides to do what is right. But all of this has a biological basis — the brain. The brain will process two exact signals the same and return the same results, as would any process regardless of its biological nature. If that’s true, then free will is simply that illusion within consciousness that allows certain parts of the brain to be exercised, so called creativity.
It’s just a way of looking at the world. I confess, I like this theory because it’s easy to think that the world will be the same no matter what I do, but it doesn’t help. But if you look at it another way, the world will only happen one way no matter what, due to the fact that we cannot change history. So then how does it matter if the world is predetermined? ;)
This post wasn’t inevitable because of the two previous posts, it was inevitable because it was predestined. I’m not a big fan of the theory, I think I need to find some good books on it.
In relation to this subject I must admit to sharing the same opinions as Neo - I cant say I like the thought of a pre-determined world. I believe I have the choice of what I do with my life - that if I sit on my arse all day and do nothing I wont get anyway, whilst if I go out and do something with my life, I will. If you ask me though, despite being a very interesting subject, the theory of fate is all a state of the human mind. I think people almost enjoy arguing question which they know are unanswerable - like where does space end? and does it?. I know they do, because I do too. However what I believe is different from what is reality. Who knows - we may already have our paths made for us. But I myself am happy in ignorant bliss.
Joshua, you are exactly right haha. I haven’t found many books on this subject, since it kind of opposes all other scientific and philosophical theories.
Steve, do you think you are still in ignorant bliss after saying that? Neo could never go back to The Matrix after he ate the red pill and arrived in the real world.
True, but the matrix was a film.
True. My point is that you aren’t living in ignorant bliss anymore after stating that you are. Self-awareness defeats the purpose of ignorant bliss.
I see your point though. Living thinking there is free will gives much more freedom and satisfaction.
I can see where you’re coming from - logically you’re right. Maybe I should’ve taken that blue pill… :)
It was a very stupid, un-logical movie, and this has nothing to do with free will.
Yeah, the first movie was ok, but part2 and 3 you can forget…