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.)