X-Message-Number: 17199
From: 
Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2001 11:24:50 EDT
Subject: Free will and responsibility

Louis Epstein writes, in part:

<< f the hypothesis that we have no free will,
 since all our actions are predetermined by the
 laws of physics applying to our atomic components,
 is correct,then we can not logically be held
 responsible for the inevitable occurrences.
 Any concept of our being able to make decisions,
 in such a framework,is nonsensical.
  >>

It is a never-ending source of amazement that bright people can make the 
simplest and grossest mistakes--and that, no matter what you say or how 
clearly you say it, someone will misunderstand it.

1. We have "fee will" at the conscious level. That is all that is possible, 
and all that is necessary.

2. One can be "held responsible" in various ways and for various purposes. 

From an Olympian perspective, no one can be blamed or credited for anything; 
we are what we are and we do what we do, and that's all there is to it. Do 
you blame a cat for hunting and playing with mice? That's how cats are made. 
Maybe one day we will breed or program the cats not to be cruel, and will 
also improve ourselves.

From a practical (political, societal, motivational) perspective, it is 
necessary to hold people accountable, at least to some degree. Nothing could 
be more obvious.

Robert Ettinger
Cryonics Institute
Immortalist Society
http://www.cryonics.org

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