Free Will, Consciousness, Identity (Identity)

by dhw, Friday, July 13, 2012, 12:26 (4515 days ago) @ xeno6696

Dhw: Of course there is no difference between what free and unfree will "look like", because the "look" is the action resulting from the decision, which will be the same either way.-MATT: We can never tell the difference. THAT is why it's irrelevant, to everyone, in all contexts, and all subjects.-Origin of the universe: The universe will "look" the same, no matter how it originated, and no matter whether it arose by chance or by design. We can never tell the difference. In any case, "truth is absolutely unreachable" (xeno). Therefore the origin of the universe is irrelevant.-Origin of life: Life will "look" the same, no matter how it originated, and no matter whether it arose by chance or by design. We can never tell the difference. In any case, "truth is absolutely unreachable" (xeno). Therefore the origin of life is irrelevant.-
Evolution: All species will "look" the same, no matter whether they evolved Darwin's way, Gould's way, Margulis's way, Turell's way, or were created individually by God. We can never tell the difference. Truth...etc. Therefore evolution is irrelevant.-Consciousness: Consciousness will "look" the same, no matter whether the brain is a transmitter or a receiver. We can never tell the difference. Truth...etc. Therefore consciousness is irrelevant.-God: The universe and everything in it will "look" the same whether God exists or not. We can never tell the difference. Truth...etc. Therefore the existence of God is irrelevant.-Ach, lieber Friedrich, du hast eine Menge auf dem Gewissen!-But some of us are really interested in the fundamental nature of our mental processes, and in all the other questions to which the various answers will make not the slightest difference to what things "look like", and concerning which the truth is absolutely unreachable. And so, dear Matt, keep writing. Your contributions are invaluable, even if all our discussions are irrelevant!