We are the sum of our experiences, so in theory, if someone knew enough about us they would always be able to predict our actions. Of course, there are just far too many variables but we are talking hypothetically. If you are 100% predictable do you really have free will or are you subjected to the though processes created by your life experiences?

I can go buy a gun right now and kill myself If I wanted to. That is free will.

Atheist can refute God and go on shooting spree's if they want. That is free will.

People commit suicide every day in this world... That is free will.


I still don't understand your question

The idea is, if someone knew you enough, they would know whether or not you actually would get a gun and kill yourself. So if someone knows what's going to happen then is it actually free will? Of course, there is literally no way someone could know all this information.

Exactly? It's impossible to know what other people are thinking, so free will, will always exist.


Unless someone left a note or something, but that still wouldn't be 100% probability

This post was edited by HighschoolTurd on Dec 11 2012 10:29pm

So free will only exists under the veil of our ignorance?

Well ignorance falls under free will, if you're arrogant, you're doing it because of free will I would imagine?

I don't even know what those words mean.

same

yes free will exists.

the idea that if you know some one well enough you can guess what they are going to do, is just that a guess based on probaility. not a percises equation that with accurately predict a persons actions 100% of time.

Okay, when he is discussing the possibility of "someone" knowing all the variables, he is probably not discussing a human being, but instead a higher being. So if this higher being exists, and has the capability to see all of the variables at hand, then it would know for a fact that in each circumstance what you as a human being WOULD do, and WHAT exact choice you would make in each circumstance, therefore eliminating free will completely.

Now, if you do not believe in a higher being that is capable of that, well good for you. I dont have faith in one either, but i accept the possibility that a being may exist. I just read this story yesterday that i think you and the OP would find interesting:

http://www.highexistence.com/images/view/the-egg-by-andy-weir/

Open-mindedness is the key to knowledge and understanding.