could have chosen differently? free will

[Guest guest]

i believe in free will, to the extent that if

there is a problem, i can try to take the time to

address the problem, take responsibility for setting

things straight. if there is a need that is not being

met, i have free will to the extent that i can address

that need and try to improve the situation. but if you

are talking about free will vs. destiny, then i'm not

sure, because destiny implies that i can only choose

one way in a given set of circumstances, and free

will implies that given a certain decision, i could

have chosen differently than i did. certainly the

justice system is based on the idea of free will, to some

extent, to the extent that if someone is 'guilty' of a

crime, then that person has to pay the penalty. but if

there is an 'i' who is making decisions using free

will, first there has to be a set of beliefs or guiding

values that are already a part of that 'i'. then you

could say, i have free will because i am doing this and

this... but if those actions are contrary to one's own

beliefs and values, then the self is not consistent... in

that case, free will would be better viewed as first

of all choosing values and beliefs on which other

decisions can be based.<br><br>christopher

heimarck<br><br>><br>> Well I can not digest it (that some cruel or kind

unknown entity is deciding about me). I have a free will

and I can decide my future. I can decide to be a

demon or a deva.<br>><br>> anybody to convince me

otherwise (or get convinced by my logic )

????????????????????<br>><br>> :)