Free choice
Hello Rabbi
Suppose we accept the principle that everything has a cause (I assume you agree with this, if not – please correct me), then the entire physical state of affairs in the universe at the moment is determined by a pre-determined cause.
If we go to a psychic (mental) state of affairs, there is no reason why the principle of causality would not also apply to such a state of affairs – the mind has a defined state at the moment, and if “everything has a cause” then the mental state of affairs also has a prior cause, and so on and so forth.
How can this be answered?
Thank you very much, Rabbi.
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Does the Rabbi think we can control our desires?
I separate choice from will. Choice is the act in the world, will is something mental, which according to the law of causality – it actually stems from the desire that preceded it, etc. etc., and where is it not really "free" (?)
Yes.
I wrote, didn't I?
You wrote about free choice. But our will is different from choice, because will is a state of mind, while choice is an act. My question is whether you also think that will is free.
But why is will free, Rabbi? After all, according to the principle of causality, it is fixed from the beginning.
Freedom of choice is in the formation of will. I don't understand this discussion and your distinctions.
“A person can do what he wants but cannot will what he wants”. (Arthur Schopenhauer)
I don't choose to be hungry or thirsty or what my taste in music is. However, I do choose whether to eat or listen to music.
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