Freewill&Determinism
Interviewer: Socrates, we are here today to discuss an aspect of philosophy that is related to physics but it goes far beyond that into a mechanic that has been used by theology and biology, for example. The subject is determinism; to create the foundations of this argument can we start by defining the term?
Socrates: Yes, let’s start with that. The definition of determinism depends of the discipline from which we approach it, we can approach it from the biological aspect or the physics aspect, but we are going to discuss determinism in terms of philosophy and in philosophy determinism refers to the observation that everything that happens in nature (and also in human endeavors) happens in relation to initial conditions that pre-establish the ends and results. Determinism affirms that what happens happen because the conditions were set and nothing else could be expected because that is the natural outcome which as we can see, is inevitable.
Interviewer: Well but how can we support the argument that everything is pre-established by factors that are immutable, how is that we as individuals are unable to escape from this mechanism that basically holds that we cannot expect but the consequences of the present conditions. That would mean that we are never free and never will.
Socrates: That is correct and determinism actually holds that perspective, however, as humans evolved into a species with remarkable intellectual abilities and particularly the development of self-consciousness and awareness of the self-bring about a new perspective. Isn't it that we can define our destiny by free choice? That is what free will is after all.
Interviewer: So free will could be defined as...
Socrates: Free will can be defined as the capability that we human have to make choices and establish direction, changing eventually the outcome, in a sense it means that we are over determinism, but the truth is that both forces are in constant relationship.
Interviewer: But
Socrates: Yes, let’s start with that. The definition of determinism depends of the discipline from which we approach it, we can approach it from the biological aspect or the physics aspect, but we are going to discuss determinism in terms of philosophy and in philosophy determinism refers to the observation that everything that happens in nature (and also in human endeavors) happens in relation to initial conditions that pre-establish the ends and results. Determinism affirms that what happens happen because the conditions were set and nothing else could be expected because that is the natural outcome which as we can see, is inevitable.
Interviewer: Well but how can we support the argument that everything is pre-established by factors that are immutable, how is that we as individuals are unable to escape from this mechanism that basically holds that we cannot expect but the consequences of the present conditions. That would mean that we are never free and never will.
Socrates: That is correct and determinism actually holds that perspective, however, as humans evolved into a species with remarkable intellectual abilities and particularly the development of self-consciousness and awareness of the self-bring about a new perspective. Isn't it that we can define our destiny by free choice? That is what free will is after all.
Interviewer: So free will could be defined as...
Socrates: Free will can be defined as the capability that we human have to make choices and establish direction, changing eventually the outcome, in a sense it means that we are over determinism, but the truth is that both forces are in constant relationship.
Interviewer: But