Determinism

Determinism is the theory that any event can be predicted by analyzing the universe's current conditions down to the atom. It states that free will is a myth, and we have no control over our own lives.

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[Gnomefro]

Your view that determinism somehow doesn't let you assign responsibility to people is also very strange. Compatibilism, the philosophy that combines determinism and free will, was motivated for the specific reason of creating a rational theory of responsibility.

Without determinism, why in the world would you punish anyone? There would be no reason to suspect they'd do X again if their choices are random. There's also no reason to think punishment(barring destruction) would affect the future.

[Grintoth]

I completely understand where you're coming from. Thus I cannot truly accept Determinism and apply it to my values.

[daniel0B]

as far as determinism and blame goes, iv heard this analogy many times, and i think it is satisfactory. maybe it can help you too: if you have a car that doesn't work, you will get it fixed, or get a new car. of course the car does not choose to be dysfunctional, so it is not its "fault" in the conventional sense. nevertheless, the problem of it not working still needs to be dealt with.

we're all cars, as it were.

[Gnomefro]

Wow... lots of confusion here. What in the world do you think "you" are, if not your body, complete with memories, perception and decision making circuits?

Why would you not call it free will when this system analyzes a situation according to its own nature(That is *your* nature) and selects an action?

Is free will only free in your mind if it makes decisions contrary to your nature?!? How would such a thing even possible? And, if you had no nature, how could a choice be "yours".

[LachlanJG]

Quantum mechanics people :)

[ixataca]

the universe really is nothing but a big billiard table 

[SleepingxWithxGhosts]

Determinism does not state that future even can be predicted. I remember reading somewhere that with the maximum amount of computational power possible in the universe It would take longer than the entire history of the universe to compute the exact condition and position of every atom in the universe at a single given moment. All determinism states is that everything is governed by casual laws leading to only one possible state for any moment in time

[estragon9]

study quantum mechanics, you will find that there will always be uncertainty in your prediction. Laplace was wrong. But I don't blame you for doing this video. you had no chance. And if I say you are naive in your understanding of physics, you will forgive me since I have no choice.

[NBTY4ever]

@vaguelyhumanoid If your past experiences are what informs your current decisions then decisions are largely a function of memory. You cannot make a decision wiothout some kind of criteria, and that criteria is stored in the memory areas of your brain.

[UponGiantsShoulders]

Your speaking of Laplacian determinism. Mathematically determinism says nothing about prediction. Only that each event has a preceding event called its cause. Scientific determinism hold that the laws of nature are the same everywhere in the universe. Its only when philosophers combine these things and assume that only deterministic systems exist when they conclude that they can make far reaching predictions. Free will is not at odds with determinism. They speak to different levels of scrutiny.

[vaguelyhumanoid]

The whole part about "it could've been any memory" is not only inaccurate, it's the exact opposite of determinism. Determinism claims that everything proceeds logically from cause to effect. You're claiming that determinists think that anything effect can arise from any cause.

[vaguelyhumanoid]

"Your memories make your decision" This makes no sense, and I'm a determinist (technically a compatibilist). There's a complex interplay of factors, some internal, some external, and it can't be reduced to "memories" or "genetics" or "behavioral conditioning" alone. Even if your decisions are causally determined, you're still conscious of them, so how the fuck aren't they your decisions? Also, the whole thing about us not having control is false. We still choose according to our determined will.

[lee0slayer]

@Grintoth yes you can, i do, punishment or law is just the lesser of two evils, its only purpose is to act as a deterrent, the evil is sending people to prison who are not morally responsible for their actions , but the alternative to doing so would be worse for overall level of human well being.

[Steve7508]

Why did I watch this video? It came up as one of the 'Recommended For You' videos based on my previous viewing. I first got interested in determinism when I read Nietzsche. I read Nietzsche because I stopped believing in God. I stopped believing in God because I read books on religion. I read books on religion because I was curious. I was curious because my parents encouraged me to love books and knowledge from a young age. You can always trace things back and see how free will played no part.