Randomness and free will

שו”ת › Category: philosophy › Randomness and free will

asked 5 years ago

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?

Discover more from הרב מיכאל אברהם

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

0 Answers

0 Vote Up Vote Down

מיכי Staff answered 5 years ago

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.

Discover more from הרב מיכאל אברהם

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.