tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32362551.post8297104052192982025..comments2023-12-13T16:57:33.142-06:00Comments on Blogodidact: A Summary – Reasons of ReasonVan Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32362551.post-52604910104443009762008-02-01T13:35:00.000-06:002008-02-01T13:35:00.000-06:00And this is akin, isn't it, to Bob's notion -- or ...And this is akin, isn't it, to Bob's notion -- or whomever he got it from,anyway -- that nothing could go wrong until there was life.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32362551.post-1481983744648310842008-02-01T13:27:00.000-06:002008-02-01T13:27:00.000-06:00I can appreciate your confusion with my first comm...I can appreciate your confusion with my first comment. I think it arose with my use of the word "resorting" when I guess I meant "rely upon it as a legitimate concept or potential truth that must be acknowledged or rejected." The problem I was having was that it seems possible, albeit foolish on its face, to say that he/she who argues against free will does not necessarily have a choice to do so, but rather might be forced by circumstances, events or -- as is argued by some of my psychologist brethren -- neuronal impulses.<BR/><BR/>But you get me past that logical bump in the road with the rest of what you wrote. Thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32362551.post-61667448239849296102008-02-01T08:05:00.000-06:002008-02-01T08:05:00.000-06:00Ben said "But the irony is that those who have cho...Ben said "But the irony is that those who have chosen to ignore reality will never appreciate the meaning of irony nor in fact even recognize it. "<BR/><BR/>Ironic, ain't it?Van Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32362551.post-32191852168644400222008-02-01T08:03:00.000-06:002008-02-01T08:03:00.000-06:00Thanks Mainman, but I'm afraid that I'm confused a...Thanks Mainman, but I'm afraid that I'm confused about your confusion... you said:<BR/><BR/>"I understand that it's impossible to argue against the existence of free will without resorting to it and thereby refuting your argument. "<BR/>" ...that by arguing against the existence of free will one is thereby automatically proving it exists."<BR/><BR/>If you resort to it...you are using it... and proving it exists... right?<BR/><BR/>From the bottom up, we are beings of self made soul, and self activating action, you cannot even move without choosing to do so. If you didn't choose to get up and go get food or whatever, you'd sit in place until you expired. <BR/><BR/>Of course Determinists will say, well no, that's all just instinct and reactions, not choices, certainly not free will. But just the act of choosing to have an argument, of course itself involves, and so proves, the existence of free will. <BR/><BR/>Arguing, assumes that there is a correct answer to be had, even in those cases where you don't have a realistic chance of discovering THE answer, you are arguing towards that answer, that correct solution, the Truth. Truth, and error and lie, depend upon a conscious being possessing free will. Determinism, like computers and Rousseau, have no ties to Truth, only process. <BR/><BR/>A computer has never, ever, in any way shape or form, made an error, let alone lied. Computers are always, always delivering the result that follows from the laws of physics. If the 'answer' it gives, is not what you, or the programmer, or the salesmen assured you it would, it is only because it was not programmed in such a way as to process electrical impulses in a way which you would interpret as being true - if <I>you</I> see that the result is false, the output of the computer was still in full accord with the laws of physics, it was either the programmer, or a flaw in the hardware, which ensured a different result than you expected. <BR/><BR/>To say a computer made an error, is no different than saying water splashing on the table was an error of the water.<BR/><BR/>Truth, error and lies are the province of conscious beings possessing free will, and any pursuit of either, not only involves, but proves the existence of free will, consciousness, and existence itself.Van Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32362551.post-72630176103534992642008-01-31T08:26:00.000-06:002008-01-31T08:26:00.000-06:00You said a mouthful. Nice post, Van. Now, maybe yo...You said a mouthful. Nice post, Van. <BR/><BR/>Now, maybe you can help me understand something that I thought Bob said awhile back. I scrolled down to your Free Will entry and thought you'd clarify it for me, but I don't think you did.<BR/><BR/>I understand that it's impossible to argue against the existence of free will without resorting to it and thereby refuting your argument. What I don't get is how one goes from that to the notion -- which I think OC conveyed -- that by arguing against the existence of free will one is thereby automatically proving it exists. <BR/><BR/>Can you help with my confusion?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32362551.post-57742922486595103432008-01-22T09:31:00.000-06:002008-01-22T09:31:00.000-06:00"People are free to mistake folders for files, and..."People are free to mistake folders for files, and files for folders, and even insist on trying to scatter all upon the floor and deny the existence of the folders and their relation to themselves - but they can't do that without also using the structure and ideas which they are so busily rejecting."<BR/><BR/>Indeed! Which is what Leftists habitually do. <BR/>Odd, how they attempt to destroy the very foundation that enables them to enjoy the liberty to forsake reality in the first place.<BR/><BR/>But the irony is that those who have chosen to ignore reality will never appreciate the meaning of irony nor in fact even recognize it. <BR/><BR/>Excellent post, Van! <BR/><BR/>WV= yrdgob...yep, even that ancient and mythological Norse tree is gobsmacked. :^)USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.com