Morten

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    Morten Bendiksen
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  1. Thank you! I am glad to join this forum. I realized at one point that if I really believe determinism to be the true way I and others function, then it seems kind of stupid to ask a question about it(or anything else for that matter). I was only clinging to that view because it was presented to me by seemingly intelligent people whom I otherwise respected and didn't want to disagree with. If it was true, then there was no way I could have believed otherwise, or for me not to have been convinced, no matter how good or bad I was determined to think their arguments were. It would simply be how things are. But a view about such a fundamental question of my own nature must have consequences for how to act in reality, or it is just nonsense, a series of words with no meaningful connection with reality. So I thought hard and long about what aspects of my behaviour would change after "realizing" that determinism is true vs. beleiving in free will. I could not think of any. Or rather, I could only think of things that I could never imgine myself actually doing. So I concluded that I really never believed in determinism and from now on would embrace free will as the only possible belief for me to hold(that does sound a bit deterministic doesn't it ), while actually living my life. But soon I discovered a lot about my behaviour did indeed change, and that some of my old behaviour was based on my deterministic outlook, even if I might never really have believed it. But how can I go back to believing in determinism now, knowing that my life will be worse? Knowing I have free will makes me assume responsibility and take action where being a determinist often meant I would float along in my life. I did not dare to dream so much then, knowing I had no way to affect change in this universe. The only thing that was easier then, was accepting destructive behaviour from both me and other people, which I do not really consider very benefitial now. Perhaps some think I am wrong in this, but in that case, I can see no way of them convincing me. If they really believe they are correct, then why on earth would they be concerned about what information is determined to exist in my mind contra theirs?
  2. I just want to say that after I stopped believing myself to be a determinist drone and started to apply my will as if it was free, my life has improved greatly, and I expect it to continue to get better as I gain more experience in making concious choises. Hope this can contribute to your decision in what you believe.