determinism vs freedom
By missak
@missak (3311)
Spain
4 responses
@sororravn (448)
• United States
13 Apr 07
Personally, I suscribe to the theory of free will. I think that determinism is a way out for those who cannot handle the fact that they are responsible for their decisions. Determinism says that we make the choices that we make because we are destinated to make those choices. Free will says that we make the choices we make because that is what we CHOOSE to do.
2 people like this
@sororravn (448)
• United States
14 Apr 07
Amen to that! It is always nice to meet another who does not subscribe to the theory of determinism. I always find it funny that so many people talk about fate and free will in the same breath and see no irony in it.
2 people like this
@petermason2000 (238)
• United States
29 Apr 07
I think many people use the tag "censorship" incorrectly. If a government entity denies access to an idea, that is censorship. If a private entity (TV network, record company, publishing company) decides not to associate itself with an idea, that is NOT censorship.
I believe it was Oliver Wendell Holmes who talked about "the marketplace of ideas." We are free to think as we wish. However, if I wish to express my ideas in a work of art that most people find offensive, I cannot cry "censorship" when church or political groups denounce the artwork. That is exactly what the marketplace of ideas is designed to do. I do believe that, within certain universally moral limits, artists are free to express themselves as they wish. But that freedom of expression is not coupled with the right to be seen or heard by everyone.
2 people like this
@missak (3311)
• Spain
29 Apr 07
You've right. If a private entity was obliged to publish something that is not their own idea, that is against the freedom of expression of this entity, so it would be another kind of censorship. But I was talking about personal/general freedom, not only freedom of expression. What is your sight on that?
@petermason2000 (238)
• United States
29 Apr 07
Freedom does not exist without responsibility. Freedom - responsibility = anarchy. Anarchy is an enemy of freedom because those who are not strong enough, fast enough, or smart enough to exist in a world without rules will either have to subjugate themselves to someone who can protect them, or die.
None of us is absolutely free. We all live with restrictions on our freedoms. A twelve-year old boy living alone in a one room hut in Sudan cannot buy a car. But, it could be argued, that boy could, through hard work, improve his lot in life.
That is our most important freedom - to improve our lives (the pursuit of happiness). It can be very difficult to exercise in many situations around the world, but humans have proven many times over that it can be done.
2 people like this
@dnatureofdtrain (5273)
• Janesville, Wisconsin
26 Apr 07
Until I move from the Physical world to the Spiritual world I do not feel like I will be totally free...
The Physical world has demands, that one has to meet to keep living... Free is free energy exchange as will, the physical world forces energy exchange without free will. - DNatureofDTrain
1 person likes this
@dnatureofdtrain (5273)
• Janesville, Wisconsin
28 Apr 07
I believe it is about learning lessons for spiritual growth. So of like Exercising, the muscle is not going to grow without meeting some form of resistance. The same I believe is true to our soul and spirits. If everything is perfect all the time without challenges, there is no growth, so I believe earth life is about learning through experience, and learning to balance energy exchanges. - DNatureofDTrain
1 person likes this
@revdauphinee (5703)
• United States
13 Apr 07
in the USA we are as free as anywhere however due to censorship and political correctness we are loosing more of our freedoms daily
