Free Will is an Illusion.
I've been thinking about this for a while, and I wonder how much free will we have.
At first, it seems like like we have freewill, but after doing more research I'm convinced its determined.
According to Google, determinism
is defined below:
Determinism is the philosophical idea that all events in the universe, including human actions and decisions, are causally inevitable.
It suggests that every occurrence was predetermined from the beginning of the universe, and that people could not have made any other decision or performed any other action.
Lets get into this.
How much control do have when you are hungry?
Or, making a decision.
Your brain chemicals send signals for you to act.
Do you control that?
I have a biological disorder known as Schizoaffective Disorder.
Either way of looking at it, I don't have a choice.
Let me explain.
If I'm not taking my medicine, I will become delusional.
I’ll have illogical thoughts and will become manic.
I’ll make things up and hear and see things that are not there.
I'll become depressed and suicidal as I fluctuate through my moods.
My brain shoots out chemicals to dictate my behavior and I don’t have control over it.
I take medicines now to control the moods, but I don’t have any control over that either.
My prefrontal cortex dictates my decision making process.
So do I have freewill?
Do you have freewill?
I say no.
We change based on our experience and chemistry.
I didn’t chose where I was born.
Or, the family I was born in to.
The tongue you were given to tell you what you taste and don’t like.
As Robert Sapolsky would say turtle on turtles.
We are in a matrix.
Are choices are determined.
Our fate has been sealed.
There's a test that determines how you will behave as an adult based on your childhood experiences.
It’s called the ACE score and Laura Starecheski explains below:
“An ACE score is a tally of different types of abuse, neglect, and other hallmarks of a rough childhood.
According to the Adverse Childhood Experiences study, the rougher your childhood, the higher your score is likely to be and the higher your risk for later health problems.”
You can find out your ACE score here.
Its compelling to think about how your upbringing dictates or indicates your future health.
What about religion?
I believe Christianity affirms the deterministic philosophy.
Here’s how:
Romans 8:29 “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Ephesians 1:5 “..having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, ..”
Ephesians 1:11 “ In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,…”
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
If God calls you His own, He will move your heart towards Him and He planned that before you making a decision for Him.
Are we stuck?
No, I'm an example of healing past traumas that dictated my behaviors by instilling a growth mindset rather than a fixed mindset.
And, identifying certain habits to replace.
Our brains are replacement machines.
If you observe nature, its constantly replacing itself as we go through each season.
So there is hope because our brains are powerful and we have the ability to become self-aware.
As we change our habits, friends, and environment, we allow deterministic process of our mind to run its course.
My point in all this is we don't have a lot of control in life.
Once we unknow the unknown, will have a better understanding of life.
What do you think?
I'm open to change my mind.