[MD] Choosing Chance

[craigerb at comcast.net]

[Craig, previously] 

> 1) I chose vanilla ice cream 
> 2) If I wanted I could have chosen broccoli ice cream 
> 3) I didn't want to choose broccoli ice cream 
> 4) Nothing forced me to chose vanilla ice cream 
> 5) :. I freely chose vanilla ice cream 

> Do I need this additional premise?: 

> 3.5) there is some probability I would want to choose 
        broccoli ice cream. 

> Given premise 3), I don't see where premise 3.5) plays any role in my reasoning. 
> You might say 3) entails 3.5), but what would that argument be? 



[Arlo] 
> My point is that you COULD choose broccoli flavored ice-cream if you 
> wanted to. If you eliminate that from the equation, then you are not 
> making a choice. 

Of course, that's my premise 2). 

[Arlo} 
> And so long as 2) you COULD choose that, there must 
> 3.5) exist some probability you will, even if its infinitely tiny. 


But again what is the argument that 2) [or 3)] entails 3.5? 
I have provided an argument for my position that shows premise 3.5) is 
unnecessary.   You have just  asserted 3.5) without any proof of its relevance. 

[Arlo] 

> Otherewise you are simply an automaton machinisticly responding 
> "vanilla" everytime you hear the certain input "vanilla or broccoli". 


So someone invents an automaton that responds sometimes 
"vanilla", sometimes "broccoli",  when asked what ice cream it wants. 
I am always going to respond "vanilla".  What can you conclude? 

Craig