Sam Harris on free will (Introduction)
by David Turell 
, Thursday, January 24, 2013, 15:33 (4322 days ago)
Alvin Plantinga says Harris is wrong:-What we have here looks like a classic bait and switch: announce that you will show that we don't have freedom in the ordinary sense required by moral responsibility, and then proceed to argue that we don't have freedom in the sense of maximal autonomy. It is certainly true that we don't have freedom in that sense: not even God could have that kind of freedom. That is not because God could not have performed infinitely many actions—no doubt he could have—but because God is necessarily all-knowing, all-powerful, and perfectly good. This means that God has not freely chosen to have that character; there never was a time at which he had both the power to bring it about that he had that character, and also the power to bring it about that he did not have that character.-It's not at all clear to me why Harris devotes most of his energy to arguing that we don't have maximal autonomy. But he does also declare that we don't have freedom in the ordinary sense: "we know that determinism, in every sense relevant to human behavior, is true. Unconscious neural events determine our thoughts and actions—and are themselves determined by prior causes." How do we know that? Harris puts it like this: "Either our wills [i.e., our decisions and choices—AP] are determined by prior causes and we are not responsible for them, or they are the product of chance and we are not responsible for them." Another way to put it: either I am determined to do what I do by prior causes, or I do what I do by chance. In the first case I clearly don't have freedom. But the same holds in the second: if what I do happens just by chance, then too I don't do it freely (if I can be said to do it at all), at least not in a way which implies that I am responsible for that action.-"This is a familiar argument, and one with a long history. But is it a good argument? I don't think so. Why think that if it is within my power to perform an action, but also within my power to refrain from so doing, then what I do happens just by chance? Maybe I have a good reason for doing what I do on that occasion—then it wouldn't be just by chance that I do it. Last Sunday you contributed money to your church; no doubt on that occasion it was within your power to refrain from contributing. But it surely wasn't just by chance that you made that contribution. It isn't as if you just flipped a coin: "Heads, I'll contribute; tails, I won't." No; you had a good reason for contributing: you want to promote the good things your church does. We Christians think God freely arranged the whole marvelous scheme of Incarnation and Atonement, whereby we sinners can once more be in a proper relationship with God. God did this, and did it freely; it was within his power to refrain from so doing, thus leaving us in our sins. But it surely doesn't follow that he did it just by chance!- http://www.booksandculture.com/articles/2013/janfeb/bait-and-switch.html?paging=off
John Horgan on free will
by David Turell , Friday, December 27, 2013, 19:03 (3985 days ago) @ David Turell
"I feel no such temptation. Libet's clock experiment is a poor probe of free will, because the subject has made the decision in advance to push the button; he merely chooses when to push. I would be surprised if the EEG sensors or implanted electrodes did not find neural anticipation of that choice."-http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/cross-check/2013/12/27/why-new-year-resolutionaries-should-believe-in-free-will/?WT_mc_id=SA_DD_20131227-Seems logical to me
Harris and Dennett on free will
by romansh 
, Sunday, March 09, 2014, 19:01 (3913 days ago) @ David Turell
Harris and Dennett on free will
by David Turell , Sunday, March 09, 2014, 22:05 (3913 days ago) @ romansh
Dennett's criticism of Harris's Free Will here > > and Harris's reply > > Ro,ansh: A little bit gloves off for my taste but interesting none the less.-My attitude is still why debate how many angels can fit on the pin head? There is no clear answer and divided opinions. I'm obviously with Dennett.
Harris and Dennett on free will
by romansh , Sunday, March 09, 2014, 22:20 (3913 days ago) @ David Turell
My attitude is still why debate how many angels can fit on the pin head? There is no clear answer and divided opinions. I'm obviously with Dennett.-Quite David.-But then nothing matters, panetheism, the content of your books etc. I am not saying this is true but it is a logical extension of your position.
Harris and Dennett on free will
by David Turell , Sunday, March 09, 2014, 22:54 (3913 days ago) @ romansh
Davidf: My attitude is still why debate how many angels can fit on the pin head? There is no clear answer and divided opinions. I'm obviously with Dennett. > > Romansh: Quite David. > > But then nothing matters, panetheism, the content of your books etc. I am not saying this is true but it is a logical extension of your position.-But it matters to me and I've made up my mind to my satisfaction and i've voiced my opinion.
Harris and Dennett on free will
by romansh , Sunday, March 09, 2014, 23:11 (3913 days ago) @ David Turell
But it matters to me and I've made up my mind to my satisfaction and i've voiced my opinion.-This I think is more than fair enough, David. What I don't understand is when others voice their opinions it becomes how many angels can dance on a head of a pin?-For me as you may recall free will has some profoundly changing impacts on my worldview. wrt morality life self consciousness and meaning-my mind is not made up yet.
Harris and Dennett on free will
by David Turell , Monday, March 10, 2014, 00:44 (3913 days ago) @ romansh
edited by unknown, Monday, March 10, 2014, 00:58
David But it matters to me and I've made up my mind to my satisfaction and i've voiced my opinion. > > Romansh: This I think is more than fair enough, David. > What I don't understand is when others voice their opinions it becomes how many angels can dance on a head of a pin? > > For me as you may recall free will has some profoundly changing impacts on my worldview. > wrt > morality > life > self > consciousness > and meaning > > my mind is not made up yet.-Again fair enough for you, but what Harris and Dennett are struggling with has no current answers, like the number of angels. So as with atheism and theism you have to choose sides, or as you and dhw are doing is staying astride the fence and studying in both directions very carefully. And I admire that, though remember I was there also and studied, and made choices. We are all at an illusion and opinion level, but I was moral, and followed a properly useful and ethical life, which has had meaning for me, without settling this issue to the point of absolute truth. Theism and atheism are not absolute truths since there is never an absolute proof. The chasm requiring the leap of faith is always there waiting for you.-Just discovered, this essay is on point. Take a look:-http://www.thenewatlantis.com/publications/scientism-in-the-arts-and-humanities-"One of the distinguishing characteristics of human beings, however, is that they can distinguish a concept from the reality it describes, can entertain propositions from which they withhold their assent, and so can move judge-like in the realm of ideas, calling each before the bar of rational argument, accepting them and rejecting them regardless of the reproductive cost. And it is not only in science that this attitude of critical reflection is maintained. Matthew Arnold, in his classic collection of essays Culture and Anarchy (1869), famously described culture as "a pursuit of our total perfection by means of getting to know, on all the matters which most concern us, the best which has been thought and said in the world, and, through this knowledge, turning a stream of fresh and free thought upon our stock notions and habits." "Like so many people wedded to a nineteenth-century view of science, which promised scientific explanations for social and cultural phenomena, Dawkins overlooks the nineteenth-century reaction that said: Wait a minute; science is not the only way to pursue knowledge. There is moral knowledge too, which is the province of practical reason; there is emotional knowledge, which is the province of art, literature, and music. And just possibly there is transcendental knowledge, which is the province of religion. Why privilege science, just because it sets out to explain the world? Why not give weight to the disciplines that interpret the world, and so help us to be at home in it?"
Harris and Dennett on free will
by romansh , Monday, March 10, 2014, 02:26 (3913 days ago) @ David Turell
Again fair enough for you, but what Harris and Dennett are struggling with has no current answers, like the number of angels. I don't think Dennett and Harris are struggling with anything. Like you they have found their 'truth'.-> So as with atheism and theism you have to choose sides, or as you and dhw are doing is staying astride the fence and studying in both directions very carefully. There is a definition game at play here ... many agnostics are atheist by the weak atheist definition (I don't hold a belief in god).-Regarding the fence metaphor, I would argue it should be it is the theists/deists and strong atheists who are up on their respective fences. Agnostics are sifting through the dirt for evidence.-> And I admire that, though remember I was there also and studied, and made choices. We are all at an illusion and opinion level, but I was moral, and followed a properly useful and ethical life, which has had meaning for me, without settling this issue to the point of absolute truth. I was moral too, but I am now striving against all odds to be amoral.-Regarding scientism ... sadly I don't buy the criticisms. The criticisms are generally poor. And too often science and scientism gets confounded. Scientism becomes a pejorative.
Harris and Dennett on free will
by David Turell , Monday, March 10, 2014, 05:54 (3912 days ago) @ romansh
David: Again fair enough for you, but what Harris and Dennett are struggling with has no current answers, like the number of angels. > Romansh: I don't think Dennett and Harris are struggling with anything. Like you they have found their 'truth'.-Then why argue with each other, since neither can be proven right. Ego!- > Romansh: I was moral too, but I am now striving against all odds to be amoral.-Why? To be prevocative?-> > Romansh; Regarding scientism ... sadly I don't buy the criticisms. The criticisms are generally poor. And too often science and scientism gets confounded. Scientism becomes a pejorative.-If you believe only science brings truth.
Harris and Dennett on free will
by romansh , Monday, March 10, 2014, 06:17 (3912 days ago) @ David Turell
Then why argue with each other, since neither can be proven right. Ego! I would agree that neither can be proven right, but if we give our concept of free will properties then I would argue free will could be proven false. That is the nature of scientific investigation.-I have to smile when someone points to someone else and says Ego! I suppose that is my ego. > > Romansh: I was moral too, but I am now striving against all odds to be amoral. > Why? To be prevocative? Not at all, no intention of being provocative at all here. This is where I disagree with Sam Harris. If we don't have free will the then the dichotomy of morality and immorality is unnecessary if not false.-For, me it is a logical consequence of the absence of free will. > > Romansh; Regarding scientism ... sadly I don't buy the criticisms. The criticisms are generally poor. And too often science and scientism gets confounded. Scientism becomes a pejorative. > If you believe only science brings truth. Again science eliminates falsehoods Max Planck referring to science: the truth never triumphs, your opponents just die out
Harris and Dennett on free will
by David Turell , Monday, March 10, 2014, 15:47 (3912 days ago) @ romansh
Romansh: I would agree that neither can be proven right, but if we give our concept of free will properties then I would argue free will could be proven false. That is the nature of scientific investigation.-How do you give a concept properties?-> Romansh: This is where I disagree with Sam Harris. If we don't have free will the then the dichotomy of morality and immorality is unnecessary if not false.-I assume, in a way, this could be considered your answer to my new question above. but how scientific is setting up judgmental parameters? > > Romansh: For, me it is a logical consequence of the absence of free will.-Now you are arguing for an inherent human concept of right and wrong, but each society has its own rules. > > Romansh: If you believe only science brings truth. > Again science eliminates falsehoods > Max Planck referring to science: the truth never triumphs, your opponents just die out-It takes time and research, as I have pointed out in the past regarding the story of the etiology of peptic ulcer and its medical cure (in the early 1980's). Today we have the crowd control of peer review and too much government money for grants bringing in politics such as the global warming foolishness (over 17 years without any). The result: faked results, paywalls, and unwanted pressures. And too many falsehoods. Science results are always open to philosophic interpretation, as in my book.
Harris and Dennett on free will; Science fraud
by David Turell , Tuesday, March 11, 2014, 00:28 (3912 days ago) @ David Turell
Romansh; Max Planck referring to science: the truth never triumphs, your opponents just die out > > David: It takes time and research, as I have pointed out in the past regarding the story of the etiology of peptic ulcer and its medical cure (in the early 1980's). Today we have the crowd control of peer review and too much government money for grants bringing in politics such as the global warming foolishness (over 17 years without any). The result: faked results, paywalls, and unwanted pressures. And too many falsehoods. Science results are always open to philosophic interpretation, as in my book.-Another major paper retraction:-http://blogs.nature.com/news/2014/03/call-for-acid-bath-stem-cell-paper-to-be-retracted.html
Harris and Dennett on free will
by romansh , Tuesday, March 11, 2014, 05:31 (3911 days ago) @ David Turell
edited by unknown, Tuesday, March 11, 2014, 06:00
How do you give a concept properties? Take does the aether exist? If we give properties to aether eg light has to travel through - luminiferous aether. The Michelson Morley experiment put that concept out of its misery. But there may well be another "aether" out there with other properties that we have not tested for. > I assume, in a way, this could be considered your answer to my new question above. but how scientific is setting up judgmental parameters? I am not suggesting this at all. Are the properties of the concept corroborated by the evidence. If this is what you mean by judgemental - fair enough. > Now you are arguing for an inherent human concept of right and wrong, but each society has its own rules. No I am arguing against an intrinsic (inherent) concept of right and wrong.
Harris and Dennett on free will
by David Turell , Tuesday, March 11, 2014, 14:46 (3911 days ago) @ romansh
DAvid: How do you give a concept properties? > Romansh: Take does the aether exist? If we give properties to aether eg light has to travel through - luminiferous aether. The Michelson Morley experiment put that concept out of its misery. But there may well be another "aether" out there with other properties that we have not tested for.-You are again using an example of physical research for a supposed something whicvh is mental, a concept. The supposed something we have a partial handle on is quantum mechanics and without a better place to look I still think that may be how consciousness arises from or with the brain, but I still don't see how concepts that involve non-physical proposals can be nailed down. > > > David:Now you are arguing for an inherent human concept of right and wrong, but each society has its own rules.-> Romansh: No I am arguing against an intrinsic (inherent) concept of right and wrong.-So you think rules of conduct are imposed by societies as they develop? We are now in the controversal area of evolutionary psychology. What has been obvious to me is small groups of folks have to set up rules by which they can cooperate and live together. But there must be an inherent sense of fairness, a non-zero-sum game. Given by God, no. Just common sense.
Harris and Dennett on free will
by romansh , Wednesday, March 12, 2014, 03:49 (3911 days ago) @ David Turell
You are again using an example of physical research for a supposed something which is mental, a concept. The supposed something we have a partial handle on is quantum mechanics and without a better place to look I still think that may be how consciousness arises from or with the brain, but I still don't see how concepts that involve non-physical proposals can be nailed down. Beg to differ David Wherelse am I going going to look for a concept like a unicorn but in the physical?-Similarly for consciousness. > So you think rules of conduct are imposed by societies as they develop? We are now in the controversal area of evolutionary psychology. What has been obvious to me is small groups of folks have to set up rules by which they can cooperate and live together. But there must be an inherent sense of fairness, a non-zero-sum game. Given by God, no. Just common sense.-Err yes. What are acceptable on a beach in Iran and in St Tropez, are very definitely a product of society. Yes groups of various sizes set up the rules; some do it in the name of an intrinsic morality others for an orderly society.-I would agree humans have evolved a capability to have a sense of fairness/morality. It is society that fills the capability. Having said that I will agree that evolution may have given humans (most) some small measure of what is right or wrong. That of course does not mean there is an intrinsic right and wrong.
Harris and Dennett on free will
by David Turell , Wednesday, March 12, 2014, 04:58 (3911 days ago) @ romansh
> Romansh: Beg to differ David > Wherelse am I going going to look for a concept like a unicorn but in the physical?-But unicorn is a physical proposal, so of course you would look there. Like the teapot orbiting the sun. But a non-physical concept is still a concept. Where do you look for it?-> Romansh: What are acceptable on a beach in Iran and in St Tropez, are very definitely a product of society. -> Yes groups of various sizes set up the rules; some do it in the name of an intrinsic morality others for an orderly society.-You have described two different reasons for the rules of society, one secular society, one religious society? Aren't both the same? > > Romansh: I would agree humans have evolved a capability to have a sense of fairness/morality. It is society that fills the capability. Having said that I will agree that evolution may have given humans (most) some small measure of what is right or wrong .That of course does not mean there is an intrinsic right and wrong.- I don't know it is a religious morality that supplies what is morally correct, so we probably agree here. But inherently we seem to have understood how to get along with one another. I don't know that evolution is capable of implanting that kind of right and wrong instinct into us. it may be a simple practical adjustment
Harris and Dennett on free will
by romansh , Thursday, March 13, 2014, 01:24 (3910 days ago) @ David Turell
But unicorn is a physical proposal, so of course you would look there. Like the teapot orbiting the sun. But a non-physical concept is still a concept. Where do you look for it? This implies things like consciousness, will and self are not physical. All three certainly respond in a cause and effect manner. So I would examine the physical world to find these supposedly immaterial concepts. -Until you can show me some evidence that these are not physical I will consider mine a reasonalable assumption to hold.-> You have described two different reasons for the rules of society, one secular society, one religious society? Aren't both the same? Yes they are both societal ... but one might be based on a fear of god or the society itself ... the other could be based on reason and desire. -> I don't know it is a religious morality that supplies what is morally correct, so we probably agree here. But inherently we seem to have understood how to get along with one another. I don't know that evolution is capable of implanting that kind of right and wrong instinct into us. it may be a simple practical adjustment-I am not sure here either ... but experiments where babies watching coloured blocks on a TV screen come to mind as do surveys about pushing people off bridges to stop runaway trains.
Harris on free will: free will defended
by David Turell , Saturday, April 18, 2015, 23:35 (3508 days ago) @ romansh
edited by dhw, Monday, April 20, 2015, 21:42
DAVID: Harris' new book "Free Will" is reviewed and its fallacies are discussed. Dennett is discussed briefly:-"The claim that human beings never act freely implies that their behavior is determined. Defending the thesis of determinism is far more difficult than Harris acknowledges, and this for two reasons: the natural world does not support it, and our own existence makes the claim implausible, if not absurd.-"On Not Finding Free Will-"Philosophical arguments can err as much by omission as by the fallacies they commit. If one rules out the concepts necessary for describing and understanding human intentionality, as Harris does, then one will have no means for speaking of personal agency. Being unable to speak of it, one will claim that it does not exist. If there is no agency or will, then there is no free will. The assumptions being given, the conclusion follows."-http://inference-review.com/article/free-will-again-I acknowledge all the philosophical arguments against free will (basically, that all our decisions are determined by factors beyond our control), but since I myself and others appear to be in control, I would not dream of dismissing the possibility that we are all autonomous beings. All the above arguments in favour of free will apply equally to bacteria, which also appear to be in control. Defending the thesis of determinism goes against natural appearances, people who rule out the concepts necessary for describing bacterial intentionality make it impossible to speak of bacterial intentionality, and therefore claim it does not exist. If you assume that bacteria are not cognitive and do not take their own decisions, then you will conclude that bacteria have no autonomy. The assumptions being given, the conclusion follows. Shapiro: "Large organisms chauvinism, so we like to think that only we can do things in a cognitive way."
Harris on free will: free will defended
by romansh , Sunday, June 21, 2015, 17:53 (3444 days ago) @ David Turell
Have you read Harris's book David?-The link does not work.-I am not ready to admit cause and effect are in some way false.
Harris on free will: free will defended
by David Turell , Sunday, June 21, 2015, 18:05 (3444 days ago) @ romansh
Romansh: Have you read Harris's book David? > > The link does not work. > > I am not ready to admit cause and effect are in some way false.-No, just the review. I've checked the website just now and it is not responding, but I looked at it 2-3 days ago ad it was OK then. I'm sure it will be back up shortly. I'm thoroughly convinced about cause and effect being valid.
Harris on free will: free will defended
by romansh , Sunday, June 21, 2015, 18:45 (3444 days ago) @ David Turell
I'm thoroughly convinced about cause and effect being valid.-I always was too. But had never applied it thoroughly to the concept of free will. Once I started thinking about free will terms of cause and effect ... an overwhelming feeling of cognitive dissonance erupted. -I understood free will is a concept I could not defend intellectually. It took a couple months or so to let go of the concept of free will.
Harris on free will: free will defended
by David Turell , Sunday, June 21, 2015, 21:54 (3444 days ago) @ romansh
> Romansh: I understood free will is a concept I could not defend intellectually. It took a couple months or so to let go of the concept of free will.-Then how do you make choices, choosing between alternatives? This site is up again:-http://inference-review.com/article/free-will-again
Harris on free will: free will defended
by romansh , Sunday, June 21, 2015, 22:18 (3444 days ago) @ David Turell
> > Romansh: I understood free will is a concept I could not defend intellectually. It took a couple months or so to let go of the concept of free will. > > Then how do you make choices, choosing between alternatives? This site is up again: > Firstly that link is a quagmire of shoddy thinking.-How do I make choices? I get sensory inputs from my environment, my brain that has been shaped by at least 3.5 Gy of evolution and recent events carries out chemical reactions which result in actions.-Now I might think I am consciously deliberating what action to carry out, but I suspect that is simply a reflection of those pernicious chemical reactions.-How do you make choices David? Independently of your brain chemistry?
Harris on free will: free will defended
by David Turell , Sunday, June 21, 2015, 23:34 (3444 days ago) @ romansh
> Romansh:How do you make choices David? Independently of your brain chemistry?-My brain is a chemical computer, but more than the computer in front of me or you. I control it almost as much as you or I control our electronic computers. I say almost as much because my brain will adapt to my use to grow thicker grey matter and more connections to accommodate my use of my brain. My brain is self-programming, if you will, as to more hardware and gigabytes of functionality responding to my use. My brain use is not independent of the brain chemistry, but also not controlled by it.
Harris on free will: free will defended
by romansh , Sunday, June 21, 2015, 23:50 (3444 days ago) @ David Turell
My brain is a chemical computer, but more than the computer in front of me or you. I control it almost as much as you or I control our electronic computers. So how do you control brain chemistry - with your thoughts? I don't think so.-Unless you are arguing for a stark dualism of mind and matter being separate, then you have to provide some evidence for this position.-> My brain use is not independent of the brain chemistry, but also not controlled by it.-I would beg to differ here. Of course there are environmental aspects, mechanical and perhaps quantum phenomena occurring in your brain. I would argue that you are controlling none of these in any meaningful sense of the word control.
Harris on free will: free will defended
by David Turell , Monday, June 22, 2015, 00:59 (3444 days ago) @ romansh
David: My brain is a chemical computer, but more than the computer in front of me or you. I control it almost as much as you or I control our electronic computers. > Romansh: So how do you control brain chemistry - with your thoughts? I don't think so.-I don't control my brain chemistry any more than you reach inside your computer to control the transistors. I make my brain have thoughts. The neurons respond chemically. > > Romansh Unless you are arguing for a stark dualism of mind and matter being separate, then you have to provide some evidence for this position.-I make my brain produce the conscious thoughts I want to appear. I think there is a marked degree of dualism. None of us can show how consciousness arises from the matter of the brain. > > > My brain use is not independent of the brain chemistry, but also not controlled by it. > > Romansh: I would beg to differ here. Of course there are environmental aspects, mechanical and perhaps quantum phenomena occurring in your brain. I would argue that you are controlling none of these in any meaningful sense of the word control.-You are right to that extent. I do not directly control each and every neuron or even masses of neurons. But I control what I think, although it is not clear how that is accomplished, since it falls into the black hole of how consciousness arises.
Harris on free will: free will defended
by romansh , Monday, June 22, 2015, 14:32 (3443 days ago) @ David Turell
I don't control my brain chemistry any more than you reach inside your computer to control the transistors. I make my brain have thoughts. The neurons respond chemically. Where exactly does this 'I' that makes your brain have thoughts reside?-> I make my brain produce the conscious thoughts I want to appear. I think there is a marked degree of dualism. None of us can show how consciousness arises from the matter of the brain. I only have other people's anecdotal stories for consciousness. We also think we see colours, but the physics is difficult to reconcile with our perception.-Dualism as a concept to me seems like an illusion. > You are right to that extent. I do not directly control each and every neuron or even masses of neurons. But I control what I think, although it is not clear how that is accomplished, since it falls into the black hole of how consciousness arises.-You control what you think? Really? Not only is not clear how you do it, it is not clear that we do. It is clear that we have the perception of control.
Harris on free will: free will defended
by David Turell , Monday, June 22, 2015, 14:46 (3443 days ago) @ romansh
David: I don't control my brain chemistry any more than you reach inside your computer to control the transistors. I make my brain have thoughts. The neurons respond chemically.-> Romansh: Where exactly does this 'I' that makes your brain have thoughts reside?-In my consciousness. I'm sure you have one also. > > > David: I make my brain produce the conscious thoughts I want to appear. I think there is a marked degree of dualism. None of us can show how consciousness arises from the matter of the brain.-> Romansh: I only have other people's anecdotal stories for consciousness. We also think we see colours, but the physics is difficult to reconcile with our perception.-But we have the perceptions and most of us in a group will agree to the color we all are seeing. > > Romansh: Dualism as a concept to me seems like an illusion.-But is it? Our consciousness is not an anatomic entity.-> > Romansh: You control what you think? Really? > Not only is not clear how you do it, it is not clear that we do. > It is clear that we have the perception of control.-That perception can be reality. Just because we cannot describe how consciousness arises does not mean it isn't real and under our control.
John Horgan on free will
by David Turell , Sunday, March 20, 2022, 15:01 (980 days ago) @ David Turell
A new essay. Note he thinks consciousness is real in previous entries here:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/does-quantum-mechanics-rule-out-free-will/
"Superdeterminism is a radical hidden-variables theory proposed by physicist John Bell. He is renowned for a 1964 theorem, now named after him, that dramatically exposes the nonlocality of quantum mechanics.
"Bell said in a BBC interview in 1985 that the puzzle of nonlocality vanishes if you assume that “the world is superdeterministic, with not just inanimate nature running on behind-the-scenes clockwork, but with our behavior, including our belief that we are free to choose to do one experiment rather than another, absolutely predetermined.”
***
"Hossenfelder’s commitment to determinism puts her in good company. Einstein, too, believed that specific causes must have specific, nonrandom effects, and he doubted the existence of free will. He once wrote, “If the moon, in the act of completing its eternal way around the earth, were gifted with self-consciousness, it would feel thoroughly convinced that it was traveling its way of its own accord.”
"I’m nonetheless baffled by superdeterminism, whether explicated by Hossenfelder or another prominent proponent, Nobel laureate Gerard t’Hooft. When I read their arguments, I feel like I’m missing something. The arguments seem circular: the world is deterministic, hence quantum mechanics must be deterministic. Superdeterminism doesn’t specify what the hidden variables of quantum mechanics are; it just decrees that they exist, and that they specify everything that happens, including my decision to write these words and your decision to read them.
***
"Hossenfelder and I argued about free will in a conversation last summer. I pointed out that we both made the choice to speak to each other; our choices stem from “higher-level” psychological factors, such as our values and desires, which are underpinned by but not reducible to physics. Physics can’t account for choices and hence free will. So I said.
"Invoking psychological causes “doesn’t make the laws of physics go away,” Hossenfelder sternly informed me. “Everything is physics. You’re made of particles.” I felt like we were talking past each other. To her, a nondeterministic world makes no sense. To me, a world without choice makes no sense.
"Other physicists insist that physics provides ample room for free will. George Ellis argues for “downward causation,” which means that physical processes can lead to “emergent” phenomena, notably human desires and intentions, that can in turn exert an influence over our physical selves. Mathematicians John Conway and Simon Kochen go even further in their 2009 paper “The Strong Free Will Theorem.” They present a mathematical argument, which resembles John Bell’s theorem on quantum nonlocality, that we have free will because particles have free will.
"To my mind, the debate over whether physics rules out or enables free will is moot. It’s like citing quantum theory in a debate over whether the Beatles are the best rock band ever (which they clearly are). Philosophers speak of an “explanatory gap” between physical theories about consciousness and consciousness itself. First of all, the gap is so vast that you might call it a chasm. Second, the chasm applies not just to consciousness but to the entire realm of human affairs.
"Physics, which tracks changes in matter and energy, has nothing to say about love, desire, fear, hatred, justice, beauty, morality, meaning. All these things, viewed in the light of physics, could be described as “logically incoherent nonsense,” as Hossenfelder puts it. But they have consequences; they alter the world. (my bold)
"Physics as a whole, not just quantum mechanics, is obviously incomplete. As philosopher Christian List told me recently, humans are “not just heaps of interacting particles.” We are “intentional agents, with psychological features and mental states” and the capacity to make choices. Physicists have acknowledged the limits of their discipline. Philip Anderson, a Nobel laureate, contends in his 1972 essay “More Is Different” that as phenomena become more complicated, they require new modes of explanation; not even chemistry is reducible to physics, let alone psychology.
"Bell, the inventor of superdeterminism, apparently didn’t like it. He seems to have viewed superdeterminism as a reductio ad absurdum proposition, which highlights the strangeness of quantum mechanics. He wasn’t crazy about any interpretations of quantum mechanics, once describing them as “like literary fiction.'”
Comment: I've always agreed with Horgan. Our intentional actions show free will. Note the bold. Note we do not understand quantum mechanics, so suggesting there MUST BE determinism underling indeterministic quantum results is a mental act of desperation.