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What's the best response to someone who believes in hard determinism but also uses this to deny responsibility for any immoral actions they commit? (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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That is, they think all of their decisions were preordained, and then use this to claim that they can't be held responsible for anything they do.

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[–] syl 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I should preface this by saying that I have a BS and an MS in physics. I have studied quantum physics.

There is indeed randomness in the universe. However, that does not prove free will. Something random is still, by definition, something you do not control. It is something that happens to you.

I don't think anyone well educated thinks that we can determine everything with 100% probability and reliability. We cannot. That is, however, not an argument for free will.

There is a new book by the great Robert Sapolsky called Determined I think. It should be released in the next few days if I remember correctly. I would check it out.