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by Capt.Lizzie_pirate king_Swann on August 22nd, 2007

Capt.Lizzie_pirate king_Swann

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Are things predestined, or are we fully in charge of our own fate?

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  • by MvL on August 22nd, 2007

    MvL

    Science and logic give us answers. Our consciousness, our choices, are the result of complex neurological processes. The scale of our neurons, and the key molecules involved, is large enough that their behaviour can be described by totally deterministic laws - not just predestined, but determined and thus utterly predictable. If we don't understand things properly, and it turns out there are some quantum scale effects involved, then there is an element of randomness in choice, and consciousness. Randomness is just like determinism in only ONE respect - it's not choice.

    We have proof from neurology that we only become aware of "choices" after they've already been made by our unconscious brains. It's repeatable, verifiable evidence that our minds don't actually make choices at all. Instead, once a "decision" is made by unconscious brain processes, our conscious minds become aware of it and then fabricate the rationalization(s) and the memory of having made the choice. This article describes this in more detail:
    http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/02/science/02free.html?ei=5088&en=7d7a58876163384d&ex=1325394000&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

    And this, if you don't feel like signing up for NYtimes:
    http://blog.johndepoe.com/?p=64

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  • by Im Alec has abandoned this account on August 22nd, 2007

    Im Alec has abandoned this account

    Neither. We are basically balls on the cosmic pinball table, bashes hither and thither at random.But occasionally we can get flipped in a helpful direction rather than having to go where we are pushed.

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  • by NotAPeoplePerson on August 22nd, 2007

    NotAPeoplePerson

    I think we are definetely in charge of our own fate. Our decisions and actions will ultimately affect what happens in the futur in my opinion. I mean, if it's all decided for us, what's the point of living?

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  • by ciaobellamy on August 22nd, 2007

    ciaobellamy

    Fully in charge, until something goes wrong and then we can blame it on predestination.

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  • by APACHEmeansENEMY on August 22nd, 2007

    APACHEmeansENEMY

    I think we are in control of our fate...that doesnt mean we know where we are going to end up though! so in some ways..i think the answer is both!

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  • by JustCurious on August 22nd, 2007

    JustCurious

    I don't think things are predestined. I think there is a number of ways things can go and some are predictable. History usually repeats itself.

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  • by Nick from New York on August 22nd, 2007

    Nick from New York

    Who could possibly determine your fate buy you? Is it God, please. Get over that fairy tale. Unless you come down with some terrible disease, you are the one to choose the path you decide to walk.

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