I am happy to accept as a concept that fate is definite, that our actions may be based on purely scientific theories, and therefore predictable at least to some extent, possibly in theory completely if we could accurately measure all the information in a brain instantly. Of course to then determine fate the system (i.e. the Earth, solar system and possibly even the Universe as a whole) is so massive it is almost beyond comprehension. The system is just too chaotic.
However, if that's the case then we have a very convincing illusion of free will, at least to a large extent although obviously many things are beyond our control, even beyond anyones control, for the present anyway.
I don't see much point in thinking too much about whether we really do, or whether we just think we do, and it appears that way. Even if it is proveable, which based on what I do know of science in particular quantum theory I doubt it really is, I still don't think it matters all that much to me beyond a casual philosophical and scientific interest.
What matters to me, is that I feel like I am responsible for my actions, therefore I assume that responsibility. If I err, then I have the choice to try to put things right. Whether fate dictated it to me through science, or I have some deeper soul which cannot be explained by science, I don't really think it makes much difference to me as its own seperate issue.
Not that it isn't interesting of course, and it does also affect other debates. But as its own issue I'm not sure the actual truth of it means all that much to me. Let science progress, we never know where that might lead. |