Does Multiverse theory disprove Freewill?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of multiverse theory on the concept of free will. Participants explore whether the existence of parallel universes with identical beginnings and laws would negate the notion of free will, and they examine the relationship between determinism, randomness, and consciousness.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that if a multiverse exists with identical beginnings, then free will is an illusion, as decisions would be predetermined and replicated across universes.
  • Another participant counters that nothing is inevitable, emphasizing the probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics and suggesting that luck could play a role in decision-making.
  • A third participant argues against the use of the term "disprove," stating that speculative theories cannot disprove established concepts if they themselves lack proof.
  • One participant raises the need to rigorously define free will, proposing that awareness of decision-making may only occur post hoc, implying that free will could be a rationalization of actions rather than a true capability.
  • Some participants express skepticism about determinism, arguing that even if universes start the same, outcomes could differ due to quantum variability.
  • Another viewpoint suggests that the natural laws of the universe support determinism but acknowledges that the complexity of symbols and variables in human experience allows for a form of free will, making each individual unique.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views on the relationship between multiverse theory and free will, with no consensus reached on whether free will is negated by determinism or supported by randomness.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the need for clear definitions of free will and the implications of quantum mechanics, indicating that assumptions about determinism and randomness may vary significantly among contributors.

Korppi
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So, I have been thinking about this for some time now. If there was other universe with exactly same start and laws as our, It would be exactly the same as ours. Thus there was same people doing same decision as here. Idea freewill is absurd and only things that could explain it would be; Luck, God, Soul and so on. And I don't think that it's sensible to get any of those things involved.


So, would do you think that your thoughts are just equation made by your brain that used things that you have sensed as variables and coming to unavoidable solution? I don't really see how it could be otherwise.
 
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Nothing's inevitable, we have to take into account the probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics. Luck is something that it makes perfect sense to involve.

Anyways, I've been thinking about this for a while. One of the things we need to do first is rigorously define free will.
 
Disprove is certainly the wrong word to use here. How can a speculative theory disprove anything if it isn't proven itself?
 
Whovian said:
One of the things we need to do first is rigorously define free will.

The day that you can say that you were really aware when you 'made a decision' is the day that you can say you had free will. When you arrive at a decision, you are only aware of it afterwards (I defy you to say when it actually happened). Consciousness is a fascinating subject but i think it will always elude us because understanding of our consciousness would need to be a recursive process.

Free will is probably no more than post hoc rationalisation of what you ended up doing. After all, we couldn't accept that it's random, could we - or nothing would be anyone's fault.
 
Khashishi said:
Disprove is certainly the wrong word to use here. How can a speculative theory disprove anything if it isn't proven itself?

Yeah, you are right, I spent a while thinking what word should i use. But considering that freewill has been considered as something of an standard for human to have along history. I decided to use it.
edit: And if you go to street and ask someone "Does human have freewill?" I am fairly sure that over 50% would answer "Yes."

Whovian said:
Nothing's inevitable, we have to take into account the probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics. Luck is something that it makes perfect sense to involve.

True, but i would suspect that if the start of other universe was same as ours, it would be same on quantum level also.
 
Last edited:
Korppi said:
True, but i would suspect that if the start of other universe was same as ours, it would be same on quantum level also.

Nope. It could turn out completely differently. Let me bold this. Determinism does not apply. Some sort of near-determinism applies on relatively large scales, but my point is made.
 
The natural law of the physical universe makes an equally good case for determinism. But both have a critical flaw; file type mismatch. The whole point of a symbol, or variable is that, using formal operations, the creature can allow them to mean any of an infinite amount of real or imaginary things, actions, etc...thereby it has free will. We multiply millions of such symbols as we weave the people that we are & the culture we are a part of, thus each is intrinsically unique, even twins.*
 

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