No freewill?

[foxeamonn1969]

How did you find PF?

chatgbt search

I am particularly interested in the theory of special relativity, which seems to suggest that the past, present and future all co-exist, so we do not have freewill, because our future already exists, even though we haven't encountered it yet. I think the logic behind this is rather dubious, but maybe I am misinterpreting it. Could someone post their interpretation so I can compare? Thanks.

 

[.Scott]

I don't think that anything about special relativity (or general relativity) challenges a cause/effect timeline. But Quantum Mechanics presents some questions.

Looking at it another way, there are certainly Darwinian reasons that a thinking organism might need to believe their plans could make a difference.

Welcome to these forums.

 

[PeroK]

How did you find PF?: chatgbt search

I am particularly interested in the theory of special relativity, which seems to suggest that the past, present and future all co-exist, so we do not have freewill, because our future already exists, even though we haven't encountered it yet. I think the logic behind this is rather dubious, but maybe I am misinterpreting it. Could someone post their interpretation so I can compare? Thanks.

There's nothing inherent in the theory of relativity that pertains to freewill. Freewill could be described as a measure of our ability as human beings to respond to circumstances and make decisions based on whatever criteria are relevant.

Something like an ant or a bumble-bee has no freewill as we would understand it. But, human beings, by virtue of the complexity of our brains, exhibit behaviour that can be identified as "freewill". Precisely how we define freewill is a grey area. But, you cannot adequately describe human society without recognising that we are not pre-programmed in any way that is entirely predictable. Even if the precise nature of how we make these decisions is not well understood.

Special relativity doesn't come into the argument, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[foxeamonn1969]

Like I said, relativity suggests the future already exists, so we only think we are making decisions, whereas the outcome of decisions already exists...

 

[PeroK]

Like I said, relativity suggests the future already exists, so we only think we are making decisions, whereas the outcome of decisions already exists...

Define "exists". Show me the future if it "exists". Tell me what happens tomorrow if it "already exists".

You are just playing with words.

 

[berkeman]

Like I said, relativity suggests the future already exists, so we only think we are making decisions, whereas the outcome of decisions already exists...

Welcome to PF, @foxeamonn1969

This part of the forum is just for brief self-introductions, not for technical discussions, so I will close off this thread now.

If you want to discuss this topic in the technical forums, you will need to find some peer-reviewed journal articles or mainstream textbooks that support what you are saying, and start a discussion about those papers (be sure to post links to them). We do not allow speculative discussions here based on personal opinions or pop-sci articles.