Q&A: Free Choice
Free Choice
Question
Hello Rabbi. What is your opinion of this argument:
(1) Physical systems are deterministic
(2) The brain is a physical system
(3) Consciousness is produced by the brain
(4) Free will is a conscious perception
It follows from this that free will is “determined,” and therefore it does not exist…
I would be glad to know which of the premises you disagree with.
And do you think it is intellectually honest to believe in free choice because of common sense, but reject this argument? After all, the premise that consciousness is a product of the brain is also a result of common sense, no?
Thank you, Rabbi! And thank you for your wonderful work here on the site and in general.
Answer
3.
Premise 4 is also not simple. There is certainly awareness of free will, as there is of every mental act, but that does not mean that consciousness creates free will. On the contrary, it reflects it.
Definitely honest and quite reasonable. I explained this at length in the book and in articles.