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25. marraskuuta 2009 |
                      
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Emilia Kaihua - OUKA 2.
According to Thomas Nagel, ”some people” think that all actions in all situations are predetermined according to the circumstances and other notable factors like experiences, desires, knowledge, the social aspects, the nature of the choice, etc. This quote suggests an explanation to how a person is unaware of the total lack of free will in situations requiring one to make a choice.
Actions in any situation are unconsciously inevitable due to the fact that “it is never possible for us to do anything different from what we actually do.” (T. Nagel, 1987.) This suggests that the human mind is not autonomous in its own right, but extramentally controlled in situation where a human thinks he is making a choice based on free will.
Determinism can be applied to this idea because this idea suggests that every choice is predetermined and thus, out of a person’s control. The level of determinism gradually gets higher as the hurry to make the choice escalates and the action becomes more necessary, until the predetermined action is forced upon us and we execute it, thinking we chose to do it.
“We are not like the earth rotating on its axis with monotonous regularity.” (T. Nagel, 1987.) This describes the diversity of our actions and hints towards our differentiating situations where we make our choices. It is true that we are not monotonous, but we are nevertheless absolutely regular in our choices, for the illusion of free will makes us believe we make our own choices. When a human feels like he is free to do anything, he needs limits. When he has limits, he longs for freedom. Thomas Nagel is presenting an idea that would keep people happy, because the illusion of free will is just as good as free will itself.
Existentialists might disagree with Nagel about this, because they think we are doomed to eternal, total freedom. However, Nagel does begin this citation with “Some people have thought…”, which might suggest he himself does not agree with this philosophical concept.
The existence and idea of reality is made anew, for Nagel suggests that reality and the actions we make are not just part of the immediate reality of the present, but are influenced by our past, our knowledge and desires, our hereditary constitutions, and of course, the nature of the choice. The actions and circumstances of the past now make a difference in the way we perceive future situations and what intramental routes we take to reach the predetermined action that concludes a situation.
Overall, free will is nothing but an illusion in our minds and every action is determined by the sum of the circumstances and other factors from the past or from our psyches.
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Tätä sivustoa on viimeksi päivitetty 25. marraskuuta 2009
