From: <EGraham1@aol.com>
Date: Sat, 3 Apr 1999 17:56:03 EST
Subject: Re: A more "sciency"-sounding mysticism.
To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
In a message dated 03/04/99 23:00:53 GMT Daylight Time, MemeLab@aol.com
writes:
<< Determinism is an extention of control - enabling control through
prediction.
We say that the universe is deterministic, because with greater knowlege we
can make better and more accurate predictions/determinations and with better
predictions we can exercise a greater realm of control. >>
I essentially agree on all except semantics. You define determinism in terms
of prediction/control. It is usually defined as the doctrine that every
event has a *cause*. I find your distinction between control and cause
enlightening, but to redefine determinism in terms of control leaves a
semantic gap. What do you then call the doctrine that every event has a
cause? What do you call the process of making an undetermined choice if not
"free will"? Maybe that is where we differ, I use "free will" to define a
conceptual process, you use it to define an experience.
I would prefer to leave the term "free will" to the dualists and define
something new, such as "self control" to describe the experience. To my mind
this is much more descriptive of the processes, both you and I appear to
agree are actually happening. Thanks for shedding a little light on this
issue for me. I'm a bit worried we are straying off topic here and it's only
my third post in this group, my apologies!
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