41

“All theory is against it; all experience for it"

                                                                 – Samuel Johnson , 1709-1784

Issue 41

March 3, 2017


Why does something happen in our life? Causative determinism or mindful choice? Fixed fate or free will? The dilemma comes up again and again in all sorts of contexts, and it can never be resolved in the human mind. However, an answer doesn’t seem to be important because life goes on even though we do not know why it goes on. Yet, if you want to think about it, the difference is important. 

 

If you deny free will and accept causation, then among other things you have no grounds for moral or ethical obligations. Just as you cannot blame the club for smashing a skull, you cannot blame the thug for swinging the club. The trigger and the trigger finger: cogs in the gears of life. All part of the machinery.

 

But if you deny causation and accept free will, even a little, however improbable, then you are responsible for much of your life, however much you may need or want some excuse for your actions. Some choice way back may have led to peace or panic today, but it was your choice, not your destined fate.

 

Logic and neurology say no free will; our daily life says we make choices all day long. Samuel Johnson says it all.

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