Free will again (Humans)

by David Turell , Tuesday, February 28, 2012, 15:18 (4651 days ago) @ dhw

dhw: I'd be interested to know if you and others agree with my own version: "an entity's conscious ability to control its decision-making process within given constraints." 
> 
> If we can agree on a definition, we can then discuss whether or not we do have that ability. Romansh's concept of interaction of chemical etc. influences would be one of my category (2) constraints. We don't know the extent to which our material cells and chemical processes ... or our upbringing, illnesses, education etc. ... determine our decisions. And we don't know whether brain cells give orders to other brain cells to make choices, because we don't know the source of consciousness. -Your definition is fine. The constraints IMHO are less than you think. Neurons do not have a mind of their own ( I like that pun). Libet aside, we learn to grow them and control them as childhood studies show. My pattern of connections and cell rowth in the brain is something that develops from my mental interests and habits of thought. I am thoroughly convinced we control our conscious thoughts and we are not unconsciously controlled by our own renegade neurons.