A Sense of Free Will: the consciousness quagmire (Introduction)

by David Turell , Wednesday, September 16, 2015, 00:38 (3146 days ago) @ romansh


> Romansh: So what are the ramifications for you, given that you believe that every particle within your body responds in a deterministic way?
> 
> Looking forward to you considered reply.-I think we are making progress. The determinism you refer to is in the aspects of physical chemistry that govern the reactions of molecules in my cells. Those molecules are under the control of DNA and the layers of controls in the genome to provide appropriate expression of the information in DNA. The neurons of my brain are part of that physical chemistry, and they are endowed with the ability to provide independent thought, the storage of useful information, and the ability to collate all of those mental processes into determinative actions which are under my self control. The brain can also provide new neurons and axon/dendrite/synapses to allow my brain to grow new knowledge, motor abilities, and memories. The underlying processes of electric transmission and synapse modifications are all to the purpose of allowing me the independence of thought and action that I have. The deterministic operations of the physical chemistry of my neurons allows all of this and does not imply any control over my independent mental state.-The ball is in your court.