Randomness and free will
Good evening Rabbi,
After reading your book The Science of Freedom, there are 2 questions that are not satisfactory to me, and I would be happy if you would answer both of them.
First question: What is the difference between free choice and randomness? The book states that free choice is purpose-based and therefore different from randomness. However, since the purpose-based approach does not change the uncertainty of the decision in any way, what does it add that makes a significant difference?
Second question: Is the very purpose of free choice random or does it also have a purpose ad infinitum?
I didn’t understand what was difficult. You got my explanation right. Indeed, voluntary action has no reason, but it has a purpose. It is similar to random action in that it has no reason, but differs from it in that it has a purpose. I don’t understand what is unclear.
The purpose of the choice is itself the thing I choose. For example, I am faced with a dilemma whether to do X or Y. I decide to do X because it serves value A. So I chose value A (i.e. I decided that it is the right one and that it is the one that obliges me), and I also chose to obey it and act on it. The chain does not continue from here.
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