What is Choice? Feraco Myth to Science Fiction 9 January 2012

First Ideas 1. Choices determine actions1. Choices determine actions 2. Actions have consequences2. Actions have consequences 3. Consider consequences before acting3. Consider consequences before acting 4. Make choices that improve your life4. Make choices that improve your life 5. Make choices that improve the lives of friends / family members5. Make choices that improve the lives of friends / family members 6. Make choices that benefit your society / environment6. Make choices that benefit your society / environment

Fundamental Assumptions These teachings rely on the assumption that we live in a universe in which choices matter, in which free will reigns supremeThese teachings rely on the assumption that we live in a universe in which choices matter, in which free will reigns supreme Obviously, you don’t have to choose to breathe, or to make your heart beat at a certain rateObviously, you don’t have to choose to breathe, or to make your heart beat at a certain rate –Those things are just unconscious responses to stimuli That, however, is why we think choices have valueThat, however, is why we think choices have value –It’s what allows the “actor” (i.e., the person making the decision) to do something that exceeds/differs from an automatic response –This makes us worth more than our machines But what if we’re working with incorrect assumptions?But what if we’re working with incorrect assumptions?

Universal Causality Universal causality (abbreviated as “UC,” and also called “determinism”) questions those assumptionsUniversal causality (abbreviated as “UC,” and also called “determinism”) questions those assumptions UC proponents assert that every effect has a cause, which is in turn the effect of another causeUC proponents assert that every effect has a cause, which is in turn the effect of another cause –One wonders what the original “cause” was! Because cause/effect sequences aren’t isolated, they bleed into one another continuouslyBecause cause/effect sequences aren’t isolated, they bleed into one another continuously –Hence the “universal” in UC Therefore, everything that occurs (including every “choice”) simply represents the inevitable after-effect of some seen/unseen causeTherefore, everything that occurs (including every “choice”) simply represents the inevitable after-effect of some seen/unseen cause

UC Continued If that’s the case, UC proponents continue, we actors aren’t making choicesIf that’s the case, UC proponents continue, we actors aren’t making choices –We’re simply vessels for cause/effect delivery, the means by which the universe maintains itself We’re deceiving ourselves if we believe our “choices” allow us to do something other than we were “meant” to do through cause and effectWe’re deceiving ourselves if we believe our “choices” allow us to do something other than we were “meant” to do through cause and effect –This was Einstein’s world-view

The Deity Argument The deity in question is omnipotent and omniscient (all- powerful and all-seeing), which makes said deity infallibleThe deity in question is omnipotent and omniscient (all- powerful and all-seeing), which makes said deity infallible As an all-seeing being, it sees the future – and as an infallible being, it sees it unerringlyAs an all-seeing being, it sees the future – and as an infallible being, it sees it unerringly But since the deity can’t possibly be wrong about the future, we are only capable of what it already sees, and can’t possibly do otherwiseBut since the deity can’t possibly be wrong about the future, we are only capable of what it already sees, and can’t possibly do otherwise

The Logic Argument This argument rests on the Excluded Middle and Noncontradiction LawsThis argument rests on the Excluded Middle and Noncontradiction Laws The former states that absolutes exist for every propositionThe former states that absolutes exist for every proposition Either P or Not P is true, with no middle ground (hello, Baselines!)Either P or Not P is true, with no middle ground (hello, Baselines!) The latter merely states that P and Not P can’t logically be true at the same timeThe latter merely states that P and Not P can’t logically be true at the same time

The Logic Argument Cont’d Let our proposition (P) be “David, you’re going to fail your final tomorrow.”Let our proposition (P) be “David, you’re going to fail your final tomorrow.” He either will or won’t; obviously, he can’t fail and pass simultaneouslyHe either will or won’t; obviously, he can’t fail and pass simultaneously If P is a true statement, nothing that happens between now and tomorrow will stop him from failingIf P is a true statement, nothing that happens between now and tomorrow will stop him from failing If P is untrue…well, nothing that between now and tomorrow will stop him from succeedingIf P is untrue…well, nothing that between now and tomorrow will stop him from succeeding

The Logic Argument Cont’d It looks like David has two “options”It looks like David has two “options” Either he’ll pass, or he’ll failEither he’ll pass, or he’ll fail However, we’ve already established that only one can be trueHowever, we’ve already established that only one can be true Therefore, one of the “options” is necessarily false – a fake choiceTherefore, one of the “options” is necessarily false – a fake choice Since only one of the options is really present, David is powerless to choose the otherSince only one of the options is really present, David is powerless to choose the other In order to be free, you have to have choices – and David doesn’t really have themIn order to be free, you have to have choices – and David doesn’t really have them Scary!Scary!

So Free Will Doesn’t Exist? Thanks for Ruining Monday… Not necessarily! People have arguments for free will as wellNot necessarily! People have arguments for free will as well For the “deity” argument, we assume the being can perfectly see the things it controlsFor the “deity” argument, we assume the being can perfectly see the things it controls Because it knows its creations, it can accurately predict any possible choice one could make in response to a given situation…but that’s exactly why it can still grant us free willBecause it knows its creations, it can accurately predict any possible choice one could make in response to a given situation…but that’s exactly why it can still grant us free will

The Chess Player Think of a great chess playerThink of a great chess player He sees the endgame, predicts the actions of the other player, and brings about the steps to make that endgame realHe sees the endgame, predicts the actions of the other player, and brings about the steps to make that endgame real But he doesn’t need to absolutely control the actions of the other player (move his pieces) in order to make it happenBut he doesn’t need to absolutely control the actions of the other player (move his pieces) in order to make it happen “We are responsible human beings, not blind automatons; persons, not puppets. By endowing us with freedom, God relinquished a measure of his own sovereignty and imposed certain limitations upon himself.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.“We are responsible human beings, not blind automatons; persons, not puppets. By endowing us with freedom, God relinquished a measure of his own sovereignty and imposed certain limitations upon himself.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

What About Sean? As for the “logic” scenario, let’s say that David really, really doesn’t want to fail his finalAs for the “logic” scenario, let’s say that David really, really doesn’t want to fail his final Let’s also say he’s “destined” to pass. (Whew.)Let’s also say he’s “destined” to pass. (Whew.) Does this really mean he has no choice?Does this really mean he has no choice? After all, there are different ways to passAfter all, there are different ways to pass David can study alone, study with friends, speak with his instructor (always a good idea), or even cheat (tsk tsk)David can study alone, study with friends, speak with his instructor (always a good idea), or even cheat (tsk tsk) In any case, David still has choices within his outcome!In any case, David still has choices within his outcome! You know you’re going to eat, but you don’t necessarily know what you’ll eat – and that decision could very well be yours after all!You know you’re going to eat, but you don’t necessarily know what you’ll eat – and that decision could very well be yours after all! Is that the definition of free will?Is that the definition of free will?

Arguments Favoring Free Will As previously stated, determinists argued that your only free actions are ones you do without causeAs previously stated, determinists argued that your only free actions are ones you do without cause –But since the Ds believe in UC, everything has a cause – so, in short, you can’t do anything freely Indeterminists also argue that your only free actions are ones you do without cause – “uncaused” free actionsIndeterminists also argue that your only free actions are ones you do without cause – “uncaused” free actions However, they say, we’re obviously free, so why buy into any argument that tries to convince that what you know to be true isn’t – especially since UC isn’t really a scientific principle?However, they say, we’re obviously free, so why buy into any argument that tries to convince that what you know to be true isn’t – especially since UC isn’t really a scientific principle? I’m going to be honest: I don’t like the incurious attitude of “Well, this is obvious, so I’m going to ignore everything to the contrary”…but your mileage may varyI’m going to be honest: I don’t like the incurious attitude of “Well, this is obvious, so I’m going to ignore everything to the contrary”…but your mileage may vary

Arguments Favoring Free Will Compatibilists argue that free acts can be taken as long as their cause lies in the inner state of the person – a desire, an intention, etc.Compatibilists argue that free acts can be taken as long as their cause lies in the inner state of the person – a desire, an intention, etc. Free will, in essence, lines up with UC nicely – because our inner choices/causes determine our willFree will, in essence, lines up with UC nicely – because our inner choices/causes determine our will Finally, agents argue that free acts are caused by agents (i.e., people)Finally, agents argue that free acts are caused by agents (i.e., people) UC exists, in that every event has a cause – but not every cause is an event itselfUC exists, in that every event has a cause – but not every cause is an event itself Some things have very short causal histories – not every event has a seemingly infinite number of causes linking to itSome things have very short causal histories – not every event has a seemingly infinite number of causes linking to it

Argh!!! Does It Exist? Just Tell Me! Please? No.No. (I can’t tell you. What makes you think I know?)(I can’t tell you. What makes you think I know?) But the Choice vs. Destiny discussion is worth having, and not just because it doesn’t have a pre-determined (pre- destined???) conclusionBut the Choice vs. Destiny discussion is worth having, and not just because it doesn’t have a pre-determined (pre- destined???) conclusion These questions force us to evaluate just how we wish to go through life – not simply whether we can decide what we do, but whether we live while doing soThese questions force us to evaluate just how we wish to go through life – not simply whether we can decide what we do, but whether we live while doing so After all…is it possible to be passively happy?After all…is it possible to be passively happy?