Free Will

[bax44]

I used my free will to stop the Sam Harris video at about 5 minutes into it.

 

why?

[Marblehead]

why?

 

Why are there always more questions than answers?

 

Because I didn't agree with him.  He seemed to be relating everything to cause and effect whereas he failed to mention that we each can be a cause as a result of our free will.

[bax44]

Why are there always more questions than answers?

 

Because I didn't agree with him.  He seemed to be relating everything to cause and effect whereas he failed to mention that we each can be a cause as a result of our free will.

 

Ok. but he does go further and give examples along with nueroscientific studies that back him up  as the video goes on. I dont buy all of his assertions, but he certainly makes  a strong case if you give him a chance.

[Marblehead]

Ok. but he does go further and give examples along with nueroscientific studies that back him up  as the video goes on. I dont buy all of his assertions, but he certainly makes  a strong case if you give him a chance.

 

Hi Bax,

 

Yes, I have been in this discussion many times before.  An the argument for only cause and effect is very strong.  And really, I do hold to the concept of cause and effect.

 

It is just that I need to hold to the concept that I have some control over what I think and do.  It's part of the Zoroastrian religion and also part of Nietzschean philosophy.

 

I will never surrender my free will.

[bax44]

Hi Bax,

 

Yes, I have been in this discussion many times before.  An the argument for only cause and effect is very strong.  And really, I do hold to the concept of cause and effect.

 

It is just that I need to hold to the concept that I have some control over what I think and do.  It's part of the Zoroastrian religion and also part of Nietzschean philosophy.

 

I will never surrender my free will.

 

Thats cool. Like I said I dont have a strong opinion one way or another- He does make a compelling argument but he does seem to be relying on some very finely grained definitions that may perhaps be revealed to be flimsy in the future. 

 

What are your thoughts on us needing to do work (such as meditation etc) to gain more of a free will?

[Marblehead]

Thats cool. Like I said I dont have a strong opinion one way or another- He does make a compelling argument but he does seem to be relying on some very finely grained definitions that may perhaps be revealed to be flimsy in the future. 

 

What are your thoughts on us needing to do work (such as meditation etc) to gain more of a free will?

 

I won't say anything negative about Sam as I have not given him full audience.  I just disagree with him.

 

Now, to your question.

 

WoW!  This could get way deep.  And I will reference again Zoroasterianism.

 

Work.  Yes, cultivation.  Purifying.  Making our self a better person.

 

As mentioned, free will is attached to responsibility.  We are responsible for all our acts of free will.  We cannot blame the gods.

 

So in responding to this I must invoke Anarchy.  That is, my form of Anarchy which is not an angry violent protestor of all government but rather that of a person who wishes to live his life the way he wants as long as it does not deny anyone else that same freedom.

 

So in our meditation and cultivation process we must always consider the will of others as long as they do not interfere with our will.  This actually requires us to walk in another man's shoes.  (How would I feel if he did to me what I did to him?)

 

And it's not about being selfless or trying to hold to unconditional love or any of those new-age ideals.  It is just practical common sense.  Don't tread on me and I won't tread on you.

 

Nietzsche's goal was to teach us how to become a superman, an Over-Man.  A person who thought for him/herself.  This is free will.