Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site amdahl.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!bellcore!decvax!decwrl!sun!amdahl!gam
From: gam@amdahl.UUCP (G A Moffett)
Newsgroups: net.philosophy
Subject: From Gordon A. Moffett (living without free will)
Message-ID: <1321@amdahl.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 21-Mar-85 01:37:23 EST
Article-I.D.: amdahl.1321
Posted: Thu Mar 21 01:37:23 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 23-Mar-85 01:18:09 EST
References: <1150@decwrl.UUCP>
Organization: Blue Mouse Trailer Resort, Hellmouth, CA
Lines: 33

> PS  How do you *know* (whee!) there is no free will?  How does a 'thing'
> with no free will *know* ANYTHING!!!! Isn't free will part and parcel of
> consciousness???  Else what's the difference between a chemical reaction
> and your *knowing* something?  

No, I don't think free will is coexistent with consciousness, but
we are using slipery words....  I guess you mean "self-consciousness",
as distinct from the consciousness that non-human animals have.
This is a rather special state of awareness (awareness of self),
which I am not fully clear on; that is, I'm not sure that self-
consciousness  implies free will.  Sorry.  I'm not omniscient.

However, I believe that there is no difference between a chemical
reaction and "knowing" something.  Certainly this is an amazing
chemical reaction (whatever it is), but I don't belief my body
operates outside physical laws, known or otherwise.

This denial of free will is also my philosophical reaction against
the self-deism that we humans sometimes practice.  I don't understand
why being human -- a particular kind of animal -- makes me *SO*
different from other animals.  Yes, I am a clever animal, and
I have the ability to recall many more things than other animals
and (probably most important) I am far more adaptable than any
other animal.  I can even be self-aware.  But does this mean
I am endowed with special properties, like free will, that
other animals lack?  (And are other animals really not self-
aware?).

Why is biology deterministic and (human) behavior not, then?

(I'm sure I have as many questions as you do).
-- 
Gordon A. Moffett		...!{ihnp4,hplabs,sun}!amdahl!gam