Which do you think is more valuable to humanity?a. Finding ways to tell humans that they have free will despite the incontrovertible fact that their actions are completely dictated by the laws of physics as instantiated in our bodies, brains and environments? That is, engaging in the honored philosophical practice of showing that our notion of "free will" can be compatible with determinism?orb. Telling people, based on our scientific knowledge of physics, neurology, and behavior, that our actions are predetermined rather than dictated by some ghost in our brains, and then sussing out the consequences of that conclusion and applying them to society? Of course my answer is b).Jerry A. Coyne
About This Quote
This quote is an example of the fallacy of the false alternative. It attempts to prove something by choosing among two options that are both wrong. The options chosen are based on emotions, not reason, and they're chosen in favor of the conclusion they're intended to support. The statement tries to prove that free will is an illusion by claiming that "our actions are completely dictated by the laws of physics" (our actions are not completely determined). However, no matter how much our actions are determined by the laws of physics, they are not predetermined; we choose them.
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