Free will vs determinism

This is a long-standing debate within philosophy and psychology, and one that is unlikely to be resolved any time soon. The question is: do we have free will, or are our actions determined by prior causes? So many people, from the baker on the street corner to a Kelowna bookkeeper are asking this very question.

The philosophical debate about free will vs determinism is complex and ongoing, but there are a few key points to consider. First, it's important to understand the difference between determinism and pre-determinism.

What is determinism?

Determinism is the belief that all events are caused by prior events, and that we have no control over our own actions. Determinists believe that our choices are predetermined by fate or divine intervention, and are not caused by our genes or upbringing.

What is pre-determinism?

Pre-determinism is the belief that some events are predetermined (usually by fate or divine intervention), but we still have free will in other matters.

What is free will?

Philosophers debate whether we have free will or not, but what do we actually mean by ‘free will’? In general, it refers to the ability to make choices that are not determined by prior causes.

It's also important to note that the debate is not simply between "free will" and "no free will". There are various degrees of freedom, and it's possible to hold a belief somewhere in between the two extremes. For example, you might believe that we have some control over our actions, but that our choices are determined by our genes and upbringing.

Supporters of free will argue that it's essential to our sense of morality and responsibility. Without the belief in free will, we would be unable to hold people accountable for their actions. Determinists counter that this is a fallacy – we can still assign blame or credit even if our actions are predetermined.

Your thoughts?

So, what do you think? Do we have free will, or are our actions determined by prior causes? Let us know in the comments! Do people really want to know if they have free will? It's a scary thought if we don't.

It would mean that everything is determined by prior causes and that we have no control over our choices. That's a grim perspective, but it doesn't mean that everything is predetermined. It could just mean that our choices, like the decision to buy stillage units, are influenced by outside forces beyond our control.