http://harmonist.us/2010/05/the-detriment-of-determinism/ Tue, 22 May 2012 13:40:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://harmonist.us/2010/05/the-detriment-of-determinism/comment-page-1/#comment-4621 Jeff Ratner (Anandamaya das) Mon, 31 May 2010 05:53:23 +0000 http://harmonist.us/?p=4871#comment-4621 I personally see no dichotomy between free will and determinism. The exercise of one's innate free will DETERMINES subsequent reactions, for both good and evil. But what the author is suggesting as dangerous here - the reduction of personal moral responsibility requiring conscious choice to nothing more than the "behavior of a vast assembly of nerve cells and their associated molecules..." - absolves individuals from the necessity, nay, even the possibility of conscious choice and reduces them to base automatons blindly following the input of their senses, and consequently unable to control themselves. This is certainly the philosophy of regressive Kali yuga values, ever more deviant from the finer sentiments of genuine humanity and leading progressively to the darkness shastra warns us about. I would even venture to say that scientific terminology is becoming no more than an affirmation that sinful activities should not only be tolerated, but accepted as inevitable. Since the study demonstrated that "exposure to deterministic messages increases the likelihood of unethical actions..." and therefore must consequently produce an unworkable, dysfunctional society (my personal conclusion), shouldn't the scientific establishment begin digging more deeply for an uplifting truth able to form a basis for social interaction before their propaganda throws what little is left of civilization into anarchy ? I personally see no dichotomy between free will and determinism. The exercise of one’s innate free will DETERMINES subsequent reactions, for both good and evil.
But what the author is suggesting as dangerous here – the reduction of personal moral responsibility requiring conscious choice to nothing more than the “behavior of a vast assembly of nerve cells and their associated molecules…” – absolves individuals from the necessity, nay, even the possibility of conscious choice and reduces them to base automatons blindly following the input of their senses, and consequently unable to control themselves.
This is certainly the philosophy of regressive Kali yuga values, ever more deviant from the finer sentiments of genuine humanity and leading progressively to the darkness shastra warns us about. I would even venture to say that scientific terminology is becoming no more than an affirmation that sinful activities should not only be tolerated, but accepted as inevitable.
Since the study demonstrated that “exposure to deterministic messages increases the likelihood of unethical actions…” and therefore must consequently produce an unworkable, dysfunctional society (my personal conclusion), shouldn’t the scientific establishment begin digging more deeply for an uplifting truth able to form a basis for social interaction before their propaganda throws what little is left of civilization into anarchy ?

]]> http://harmonist.us/2010/05/the-detriment-of-determinism/comment-page-1/#comment-4580 Nitaisundara Fri, 28 May 2010 04:39:30 +0000 http://harmonist.us/?p=4871#comment-4580 It is interesting that karma is sometimes criticized as deterministic. Even if it actually were, at least it carries with it reactions that can potentially cause one to check improper behavior. It is interesting that karma is sometimes criticized as deterministic. Even if it actually were, at least it carries with it reactions that can potentially cause one to check improper behavior.

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