I'm a 'determinist'

December 17, 2005 - Saturday


I'm a Determinist
Current mood: contemplative
Category: Religion and Philosophy

David Hume argued that while it is possible that one does not freely arrive at one's set of desires and beliefs, the only meaningful interpretation of freedom relates to one's ability to translate those desires and beliefs into voluntary action.

What we need for understanding rational human behaviour - and indeed, animal behaviour - is something intermediate in character between perfect chance and perfect determinism - something intermediate between perfect clouds and perfects clocks. (Karl Popper, 1975)

Determinism is often erroneously equated with fatalism, which is the true opposite of freewill. Under fatalism the will is ineffectual, no matter how much it struggles. (A consistent fatalist would be rendered a complete vegetable, even incapable of articulating an argument in favor of fatalism. Under determinism there is no limit to how effectual the will can be. Causality determines the nature of will, but does not prevent any action which is not in violation of physical law. A will is not unfree by virtue of the causal roots of its origin and existence (heredity and environment). Causality creates a will, but does not subject the will to ongoing compulsion. To justify a causeless will on the grounds that a person can choose what he or she does not really wish to choose (wills what is not really willed) is self-contradictory.

the magic book (or is it the stupid book?)

December 15, 2005 - Thursday


the magic book (or is it the stupid book?)
Current mood: pretty


Geez! Why am I innundated with stupid people these days? I just want to go get some magic book that I can whack these people over the head with!

I'm having a strange week. I've been flexing my intellectual muscles more than I have since I did my last go round of finals and I'm getting a migraine! Correlation? Correlation is not causation, but it makes you wonder.

I feel very pretty today, but I'm all finished being social until xmas, so I guess it's just for me.

I took on an extra job (I need that like a hole in my head) and it's a "City" job so it required a physical. I'm going to be doing occasional stage tech for the Seattle Center-mostly rock or rap concerts, some work on the operas and ballet. I can understand the need for a physical because we can be leaning way over moving 50lb counter weights 100 feet in the air or focusing spots twice as high. makes sense but man, they sent us to the health department for this physical. If you've ever had the pleasure you know it really makes you appreciate your life and the fact that you have all of your wits about you.

I kind of wish sometimes that I had stayed in the college of engineering and surrounded myself by the brainy geeks. I doubt we'd ever have need to visit the zoo that is Public Health. But it's cool though, I'd probably have ended up in the looney bin if I had stayed on that track and become just like those cats at the health department.

The week hasn't been all bad, besides my 'fridge taking a nose dive the day of my holiday party. I have gotten a lot accomplished both with my company and the co-op. But to get back on track, I keep dealing with stupid people. My co-manager of the co-op told me that it's a bonus for the rest of the group that I'm very calm and logical, especially in negotiations. But sometimes I find myself looking for that goddam book!

That's all, just a venting session. G'nite!

Currently listening :
Buddha and the Chocolate Box
By Cat Stevens
Release date: 25 July, 2000