Definition of Philosophy

The Question of Free Will

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Man is especially proud of having free will – that which gives him the ability to make conscious choices without being limited by any form of constraint.  Whether this is true or not has been the subject of various contentions between philosophers.  Some view free will as an illusion created by man to attribute to himself a certain control over his destiny when in fact all his actions are but natural results of the process of cause and effect.

Going into the inner intricacies of personal philosophies about free will necessitate understanding about what freedom means to each mind.  When given a choice between good and bad, a person can choose the good and claim that he chooses to do so.  Others can contradict that the choice for the good is only a predisposition for something that has been decided in the past, meaning that the choice was made because it was pre-determined that it was the good thing to do.  This is then countered by the proponents of free will as a clear exercise of such ability since the person can always choose the bad and yet he doesn’t.  And so the circle of reasoning continues with each having a point against each other and yet being unable to fully convince people of their absoluteness.

Many religions point to a greater power who determines the destiny of each individual.  Science attributes genetics and biochemistry for predispositions.  Free will enters the picture when a decision is made in spite of such determinants and predispositions specially where there are no physical restraints that can affect the outcome.

There is a question of free will when in spite of absence of any constraint; a decision is arrived at due to necessity.  How much freedom does that represent when there is no other recourse aside from the chosen one?  Men bereft of the idea that they have free will turn out more fatalistic in nature being resigned to whatever life has in store for them.

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Originally posted on June 11, 2012 @ 4:51 pm

Philosophy, Science and Theology Festival in Grafton, Australia

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philosophy_science_theology_festival_logoThe 6th International Philosophy, Science and Theology Festival is going to be held this weekend from the 27th of June (Saturday) to the 1st of July (Wednesday) in Grafton, North Rivers, Australia. The festival’s theme is “Our Now, Our Tomorrow”. According to the festival site “the festival is a forum where questions that concern us can be asked, discussed and debated in a friendly, non-threatening environment. Speakers from all over the world come to the festival to share their knowledge with people from all walks of life. It is a safe space in which you can listen, take part and enjoy. It is a place where barriers are broken, friendships are forged and excitement grows.” People interested in participating have the option of visiting for just one day or registering for the whole festival experience.

Here’s a short list of speakers and their chosen topics:

  • Matthew Colless – What Science Can Say About Creation?
  • Dr Jan Visser – Not by Philosophy, Science and Theology Alone
  • Pam Wells – Personal Philosophy- a Practical Responsibility
  • Dr Ian Gawler – Cancer as a path to Enlightenment
  • Dr Michael Northcott- Climate Change, Industrial Capitalism and the Nature of Life on Earth
  • Howie Firth- SEASHELLS, SUNFLOWERS AND GREEN SHOOTS OF SPRING
  • Norman Habel – An Inconvenient Text
  • Stephen Strong, Author: Constructing a New World Map; Mary Magdalene’s Dreaming

Originally posted on June 26, 2009 @ 9:04 pm