[MD] Free Will

[MarshaV]

On Jun 19, 2011, at 6:57 PM, Steven Peterson wrote:

> On Sun, Jun 19, 2011 at 12:13 PM, Horse <horse at darkstar.uk.net> wrote:
>> So we're kind of back to the idea that 'Free Will' is an illusion!
> 
> 
> Sam Harris goes further to say that those who meditate learn that
> illusion of free will is itself an illusion:
> 
> "It is generally argued that our sense of free will presents a
> compelling mystery: on the one hand, it is impossible to make sense of
> in causal terms; on the other, we feel that we are the authors of our
> own actions. However, I think that this mystery is itself a symptom of
> our confusion. It is not that free will is simply an illusion: our
> experience is not merely delivering a distorted view of reality;
> rather, we are mistaken about the character of our experience. We do
> not feel as free as we think we do. Our sense of our own freedom
> results from our not paying close attention to what it is like to be
> ourselves in the world. The moment we do pay attention, we begin to
> see that free will is nowhere to be found, and our subjectivity is
> perfectly compatible with this truth. Thoughts and intentions simply
> arise in the mind. What else could they do? The truth about us is
> stranger than many suppose: the illusion of free will is itself an
> illusion."

Hi Steve,

This is right on, and why it is so hard to find a good way to say it.  The 
illusion of free will and causation are themselves illusions.  The illusion 
is an illusion, like emptiness is empty, like the fundamental nature of 
of the determinate is the indeterminate.  Can it become any more 
beautiful. 

Great quote!     


Marsha 





 
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