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Old 04-23-2008, 06:12 PM
Paul C. Anagnostopoulos Paul C. Anagnostopoulos is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by David
I mean that conscious beings have the ability to choose between alternatives. I mean that this is a real choice - not an illusion because their decision is not predictable - even in principle - from earlier brain states.

OK, not everyone will agree with that (!!), but I don't see any point in a mere semantic discussion as to whether 'free will' means the above, or something else!
If there is no point in narrowing down what we mean by free will, then there is no point to this conversation at all.

David: I have free will type A!

Paul: Could you define that?

Ian: I have free will type B! Only a fool would think of free will as anything else.

Paul: Is that the same thing as David has?

Ian: I've already defined free will.

Paul: David, do you subscribe to the same type as Ian?

David: I think so.

Paul: Could you define it, please?

David: Semantics! Semantics!

Ian: But free will is free will is free will.
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