[MD] Free Will

[david buchanan]

Steve said to dmb:
...Why would you think that I limit morals to the social level? All I said is that praise and blame are social patterns, and they are. When I said that the intellectual concern is true/false, I follow the MOQ in thinking that that too is a moral concern. It's just a different level, so a different sort of moral concern.

dmb says:
Why can't a philosopher be praised or blamed for his views? Why can't a scientist be morally blameworthy or morally praiseworthy? Since we are talking about moral praise and blame and you say praise and blame are social patterns, then of course I would think you limit morals to that level. True and false are not moral categories, however. Truth and dishonesty are. That's why mistakes are morally distinguishable from lies. In both cases, the assertion is not correct and the whole difference hinges on the speaker's motive. In your view, the motives and intentions would be irrelevant because they're caused by forces beyond the will. 

dmb had said to Steve:
I don't see any reason why I should reply to your childish name-calling, so most of your reply was deleted. If there was an actual point in there, then feel free to repeat it, hopefully in grown-up language.

Steve:
What the hell are you talking about? I didn't even accuse you of not being a grown up as you just did to me?

dmb says:
You don't recall any childish name-calling? Okay, maybe you're right. Maybe it was a different post where you used the word "dick" about half a dozen times.