[MD] Free Will

[craigerb at comcast.net]

[Craig, previously]
> An eccentric magician invites you to play a game.> The game consists of 2 boxes & 2 buttons.
> He puts the same amount of money--either> $0 or $1000--in each of the 2 boxes.> If you push the right-hand button you get the
> money in the right hand box.  If you push the left-hand button
> you get the money in both the right-hand & the left-hand boxes.
>  Before you play, he confides to you
> that he can read the minds of the players & he lets you watch> several rounds of the game. Each time he puts no money in the
> boxes, the player pushes the left-hand button & each time he
> puts $1000 in both boxes, the player pushes the right-hand button.
> Now it's your turn.  Which button do you push?

[Steve]> The right-hand button?


This answer is irrational.  If you think that you will get $1000 by pushing the right-hand button,
then you should think you will get $2000 by pushing the left-hand button. 

[Steve]> Can you explain the point of this question?
It shows that not believing in free will is irrational.
 

[Steve]
> The question is where do choices come from?


 My choices come from me, your choices from you.


[Steve]
> Do you see this "power to choose" as the possession of man but not > other animals?


Humans have a feedback mechanism.  Once we form an intention/decide, we can consider
the consequences of doing/not doing the action & then are free to change our mind based
on this feedback.  Animals that cannot do this, do not have free will.
 Craig