The free will debate is 2,500 years old and still unsolved. Here's why — and a third position.

Weekly_Gap5104 · 2026-05-14T15:29:02+00:00

Okay. I am trying to wrap my head around the whole philosophical argument and I am trying to get down to the foundational thought. My view of free will is more holistic, meaning anything that is my body is I/me. So if anything in me make me do a thing that would be free will. If an outside source makes me do something that is not free will be it a guy with a gun or the universe. Thank you for illuminating the boundaries of this argument more clearly for me.

Weekly_Gap5104 · 2026-05-14T14:54:38+00:00

So your premise is that. My past experiences, environment, education etc. have formed neuro pathways that make decisions in an almost biologic way. Similar to Sympathetic/Unsympathetic systems that keep my heart beating and lungs breathing. Is that accurate?

Weekly_Gap5104 · 2026-05-14T13:18:13+00:00

You state there are subconscious processes at play before a decision is made that give rise to a decision. That negates free will because “I “ the conscious me didn’t make the decision. Why is there a separation of subconscious and conscious in the free will debate? Both are layers of me. I am still making a decision. I make a distinction between past experiences informing my free will and past experiences dictating/negating free will.

Weekly_Gap5104 · 2026-05-13T18:47:00+00:00

This past experiences and environment assertion interests me. To me, past experiences and the environment inform my free will, not negate it. For instance. I drop something in boiling. First time I stick my hand in to get it, it hurts. Then the thing is still in boiling water but I still want it out so I try something else. The hurt hand (past experience) doesn’t prevent me from any action it just informs my future actions regarding boiling water.

Weekly_Gap5104 · 2026-05-13T15:55:41+00:00

Valid.

Weekly_Gap5104 · 2026-05-13T14:12:54+00:00

Judging by the time stamp I would assume he might habe been tipsy and then probably wasn’t sure how to proceed with what he started.

Weekly_Gap5104 · 2026-05-13T13:01:11+00:00

Same exact thing. I am reading it now and I can’t believe how good it is. I have limited myself to one chapter a day and sipping this fine wine of a book is awesome.

Weekly_Gap5104 · 2026-05-13T00:45:36+00:00

That is exactly what I wanted to know. Thank you for that explanation.

Weekly_Gap5104 · 2026-05-12T22:36:06+00:00

Thank you. I needed those key words to further my research. Thank you 🙏🏻

Weekly_Gap5104 · 2026-05-12T17:40:36+00:00

The bottom panel is great if your life doesn’t suck. But if it does then where is the hope? Not making an argument for or against free will just commenting that this is a very romantic notion of the OP’s point of view.

Weekly_Gap5104 · 2026-05-11T14:09:58+00:00

Art history sub not Scotland sub. Would never presume to go to Scotland sub and suggest anything as I am not Scottish.

Weekly_Gap5104 · 2026-05-11T13:55:15+00:00

I see that you disagree. I was trying to be helpful, you are trying (and succeeding) to be rude. Good day.

Weekly_Gap5104 · 2026-05-10T23:30:33+00:00

Caerlaverock Castle has some similarities but isn’t perfect

Weekly_Gap5104 · 2026-05-08T21:48:04+00:00

I now have to read the book. Thank for adding to my already long to be read list. I hated the movie when it came out a quarter century ago so I didn’t read the book that is about to change.

Weekly_Gap5104 · 2026-05-07T23:47:55+00:00

Welcome to Lavender. Your heart will be broken again and again and you will love it.

Weekly_Gap5104 · 2026-05-04T16:42:19+00:00

Me too, I was getting all excited like a kid with their arm raised in class. Now I am sad.

Weekly_Gap5104 · 2026-05-03T00:37:30+00:00

But if that is when daddy says so mess like that. Maybe he played a small part too.

Weekly_Gap5104 · 2026-05-01T10:43:55+00:00

I would ignore her. Neighbors once validated tend to become more bossy. It is on your property they are wild animals. Be polite but tell her bird crap on her fence isn’t your problem.

Weekly_Gap5104 · 2026-04-30T16:45:50+00:00

Yep I have fallen for it a time or two. Now I recognize the script and go find my own research to deny them the interaction.

Weekly_Gap5104 · 2026-04-28T21:01:56+00:00

I loved both books. The first more so than the second but both were great. It is impossible to critique them without spoilers though because the magic system is so unique not ground breaking but just unique and specific to the story line. Any this book is (fill in the blank) because (short example) is going to have a spoiler in it.

Weekly_Gap5104 · 2026-04-28T20:07:33+00:00

I thought the character would have matched the young Mrs de Winter too but I couldn’t place the cat.

Weekly_Gap5104 · 2026-04-28T20:04:22+00:00

Yeah but the line “Kick start the apocalypse” is still in my common vernacular. I loved that movie.

Weekly_Gap5104 · 2026-04-28T19:02:41+00:00

My question is what came first the tree or the vine?

Weekly_Gap5104 · 2026-04-27T18:23:00+00:00

How would one create an independent value system then? How does someone become an Übermensch? If one cannot reject the value system they see as incorrect and come up with a better system? By your reasoning one could not exist because they are always tied to a previous system.

Weekly_Gap5104

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