Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site aesat.UUCP
Path: utzoo!aesat!rwh
From: rwh@aesat.UUCP (Russ Herman)
Newsgroups: net.philosophy
Subject: Re: Rosen on reason, etc.
Message-ID: <344@aesat.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 14-Feb-85 09:11:47 EST
Article-I.D.: aesat.344
Posted: Thu Feb 14 09:11:47 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 14-Feb-85 21:47:41 EST
References: <756@wucs.UUCP>, <5055@utzoo.UUCP>
Organization: AES Data Inc., Mississauga, Ont., CANADA L5N 3C9
Lines: 25

>What is logically wrong with the assumption that ``free will'' [defined
>as the ability to make choices and thus self-determine certain events
>which have an effect on one's life] like ``language ability'' is a
>``power'' that manifests itself in human beings during their lifetime?
>... That I started
>out as an undifferentiated cell zygote that did not have language ability
>does not mean that I had to stay that way -- why is ``free will'' any
>different?
>
>Laura Creighton
>utzoo!laura

When you say "I have language ability", that's a self-evident truth. When
you say "I have brown [or whatever] hair", that's subject to consensual
validation. But when you say "I have free will", that's like saying
"I have a personal deity". You may *feel* that it's true. You may *believe*
you behave *as if* it were true. But that doesn't necessarily *make* it
true.
-- 
  ______			Russ Herman
 /      \			{allegra,ihnp4,linus,decvax}!utzoo!aesat!rwh
@( ?  ? )@			
 (  ||  )			The opinions above are strictly personal, and 
 ( \__/ )			do not reflect those of my employer (or even
  \____/			possibly myself an hour from now.)