We use cookies on our website for a number of purposes, including analytics, performance, and advertising. Learn more.
OK!
Boo
SIGN IN
Universes
Posted Monday, September 12, 2022
2y
INFP
Gemini
Getting lost in the determinist sauce
I have been thinking about the concept of free will in relation to our understanding of time. Because time for humans is linear we base our understanding of freedom and choice off of it. Your actions influence the world around you and have consequences. Your decision might have been influenced by outside forces, however, you still made the choice and must live with it. On the other hand, what if we did live in a determinist universe? Would we still be able to hold people accountable for their actions if they never truly had a choice? Beyond that, considering that (and I am using broad strokes here) we all base our morality on the fact that we do have freedom to choose. What would we use as the basis for a "good person", or is trying to define such a thing an exercise in futility. Since in this hypothetical, all choices where predetermined, would all action suddenly lose value? Would the moral weight be lifted knowing that the actions you took where the only you ever could? How would we even define ourselves without choice? TLDR: my sleeping meds are kicking in and making me extra existential tonight (: Edit: I just wanted to clarify where how I sorta feel about a lot of this since 3am was a not really focused on that. I do believe that our actions do have value, by the very nature of how our world works. Our actions ripple out in thousands of different ways, effecting people in ways we could never even think of. Beyond that, the 4th dimension is that of time. We are strangle little noodles moving through the universe, interlacing and changing. Even if everything has a set point, isn't there still value in following a set path? In watching a movie despite knowing the ending? Despite that I am still very tired so who knows TTLDR: I am even more tired than yesterday but have no interest in keeping my half baked ideas to myself (edited)
6
8
Comment
Philosophy Community
The philosophy community, chat, and discussion.
JOIN NOW
984K SOULS
Kelly
2y
ENFP
I believe we're in a determinist universe because I haven't seen any evidence otherwise. But we can't prove or disprove that without being able to see the future, so how much does determinism matter to present actions? I don't think it does. Therefore we still need to hold people accountable. There's no way to predict the future even if it's completely set in stone. The only way we know to influence people's actions is via incentives, and holding people accountable is an effective way to incentivize good behavior. When it comes to judging the moral weight held by others, personally I feel that's a metaphysical concept that's hard to define. I think that each of us needs to take responsibility for taking moral actions, and we need to have a society/culture that instills that personal responsibility in every person. The idea of morals and personal accountability are helpful for making decisions in the present and the future. But when it comes to looking at the past, I do think there's comfort in knowing it couldn't have been any other way. And I think it helps reduce feelings of anger to realize someone was likely destined from the beginning of time to act that way.
1
0
Reply
rhys
2y
ENTP
Virgo
- we may not be accountable for our actions, but that isn't going to stop people from holding others accountable for their actions, regardless. - i don't think there should be a basis for a good person, when no one can agree on what exactly a good person is; it makes the entire concept meaningless. - no one's actions are valuable, period. everybody dies, and everything goes extinct. all of our choices will ultimately be forgotten when the last human takes their last breath. you can only imagine your own meaning in the actions you take, it can only matter to you as long as you live. whether or not your actions are influenced or made by freedom of choice should not affect their value. the influence or freedom of choice in and of themselves make the action valuable to you either way.
1
0
Reply
Kurson
2y
INFJ
Aries
The simple answer/response to this post is that the concept of morality by in large is flawed when observed in nature. No one particularly* cares about a "good" person, but will fight tooth and nail to punish a "bad" one. This dichotomy is important to recognize because it shows that there is no incentive to be a good person at all except perhaps fear of punishment (prison/death/hell(?) ). Since fear, and in general, negative-reinforcement is the biggest reason to be "good", one can conclude that morality, regardless of free-will, really matters to society as a whole. On the other hand, to the individual, observing good people doing good things (in person or otherwise) makes us feel good and that dopaminergic response is a subconscious positive-reinforcement mechanism that classically-conditions us to like good people because they make us feel good and also this motivates us to also be good people. Although I only mentioned 2 factors that goes into the sociology (fear) and psychology (intrinsic value) of morality, my point is that society doesn't nearly value morality as much as the individual does. As a result, and finally the response you've been waiting for, even in a deterministic universe I would argue that if what I said was a scientific law then society would deterministically punish the bad and the individual will feel good about the good regardless of free-will and choice. This makes sense to me, because even in a deterministic universe, the universe itself still operates within the laws of physics and thus, imo, society and the individual will also operate within the confines of its own laws. Now the other big question is: How "real" is the concept of free-will and autonomy? Hopefully I didn't completely miss your intentions and/or didn't quite meet your expectations in terms of getting a valuable/relevant response 😇
0
1
Reply
Paul
2y
INTJ
Aries
see compatibilism
0
0
Reply
Meet New People
40,000,000+ DOWNLOADS
JOIN NOW
Related Posts
#memes
8h
ENFP
Cancer
👌💯😄
#meme #funny #truth #dating #relationship #friends #friendship #psychology #philosophy #people
21
6
#philosophy
10h
INTP
Libra
Find someone who'll watch ratatouille with you a gazillion times
13
4
#philosophy
5h
ESFJ
Leo
Inspired by
The fear of being average💀
4
6
#philosophy
6h
INTP
🙏❤️
Jai Shree Ram🙏❤️
3
0
#philosophy
2y
INTJ
Virgo
Who else believes some relationships are very disappointing?
Sometimes I'm just at awe with how disappointing some of the various everyday people we interact with are. What are some things you wish you saw a lot more of in people:
2
2
#universe
15h
INTJ
Libra
New Year
Happy new year’s everyone. Do take the time to assure this year you prioritize yourself. Establish proper boundaries, create healthy habits, make meaningful memories and value your time. Take risks and write new chapters in your life this year. Don’t let fear hold you back from what can become... read more
4
0
#philosophy
23h
ENTJ
Sagittarius
Is it weird to be dominated?
2
1
#philosophy
2y
INFP
Capricorn
I don't fake a image
I'm just being real with myself and y'all hate it or love it take me as I am. I don't gotta pose being nice and genuine my existence an nature is already that sl what's there to fake? Y'all got me hurt thinking I'm pretending for women's attention I ain't y'all.
7
4
#philosophy
3h
ENTP
Aries
Photography with Birds and animals lovers Birds (edited)
2
1
#philosophy
17h
ENTP
Capricorn
question
to what extent are our lives shaped by destiny and how much is down to faith?
1
1
#philosophy
1d
ISFJ
Aquarius
If you search deep inside you will get answers outside and if you search outside you will understand the questions you asked about your self...
2
5
#philosophy
16h
INFJ
Leo
As V. I. Lenin once said...
Theory without practice is useless; practice without theory is mindless.
1
5
#philosophy
1d
INFJ
Laws In the World
4
0
#philosophy
16h
INTP
Aries
How do you work out which one prefers big butts? (edited)
5
3
#philosophy
7h
ENTJ
Aquarius
TENET ASS
Whatever has happened, was always going to happen. Free will exists to forward us to what is going to happen, what was always going to happen. It’s impossible for us to really see what will happen in the future, but because there is a future, there is always something that was going to happen, and... read more
1
0
#philosophy
17m
ENFJ
Virgo
Self-doubt is the mental cage that binds us from our full potential
4
0
#philosophy
1d
INTJ
Scorpio
Brightness
Happy 2025 everyone. 2024 is gone. It should take the emotional Baggage with it. There is no reason why one needs to carry that to 2025. If you missed out on changing yourself in 2024, 2025 has got you another chance. Take it this time. Happiness is a state of mind and only YOU can give it to... read more
1
0
#philosophy
16h
ISFJ
Capricorn
Yourself is a teacher
When life throws you a mess, yourself told you to clear the mess, everything is possible when you push it forward.
1
0
#philosophy
8h
ESFJ
Libra
What an Idea 💡
4
3
#philosophy
1h
ISTJ
Libra
•
2
0
#philosophy
1d
INFJ
Aquarius
These people are so depressed that they started celebrating the new year
1
0
#philosophy
1d
INFJ
Libra
Quote of the Day
"The past cannot be altered. The present holds but regret and loss It is only in the days to come That a man may find solace When memory fades..."
3
0
#writing
1d
INFJ
Libra
Shattered thoughts, eyes parched and dry, A mind racing, to justify the why. A heart weighed down, by sorrow's crushing might, A faint smile flickers, a resilient light.
#boo #betray #dating #poetry #relationship #books #philosophy #psychology #life #lifeadvice #quotes #univers #soul #book #thoughts #learning #emotions #reality #hopelessromantic #sensitivity #friends #partener #single #pov #infj #depressed #depression #mood #advice #libra #sad #lonely #poet #poem... read more
10
0
#writing
1d
INFJ
Libra
A smile that shines, a mask I wear, Concealing the pain, that's hidden there. My eyes tell a story, of a different plight, A toast to those, who wear a similar light.
#boo #betray #dating #poetry #relationship #books #philosophy #psychology #life #lifeadvice #quotes #univers #soul #book #thoughts #learning #emotions #reality #hopelessromantic #sensitivity #friends #partener #single #pov #infj #depressed #depression #mood #advice #libra #sad #lonely #poet #poem... read more
7
0
#philosophy
13d
ESFJ
Taurus
Hi
Good Afternoon
116
14
#philosophy
6d
INTJ
Scorpio
What do you think happens when you die?
9
84
#enlightenment
2d
ENFJ
Sagittarius
7 Awards
LIFE REFLECTION...🌟💫✨️💖😉🤗🌻🌼
The best is yet to come... So never give up! Things can change in the blink of an eye. Pause, reflect and show up with curiosity. There is power in acceptance and repair. Release the weight of expectations. You are constantly evolving. Every soul is a mirror, revealing where you need to... read more
39
18
#empathy
4d
ENFJ
Sagittarius
3 Awards
FREEDOM... 🌿🍃🫴🥰😍🤗🌻🕊
We've been through so much It feels nice to just be for a while. There's something rare about feeling this free, like I don't have to filter myself or hold back. For once, I can just exist without questioning how Im being seen or if Im doing too much. It's fleeting, I know, but that doesn't... read more
32
27
#philosophy
15d
ISFJ
Gemini
1 Award
In 2025 - I hope love finds you, even in the place where you hide. (edited)
22
9
#philosophy
21d
INFP
Libra
If you could buy one thing...
and money wasn't an option, what would it be? #travel #food #psychology
26
47
#randomthoughts
4d
ENFJ
Sagittarius
2 Awards
THE LESS THE BETTER! 🫶🫰🫂💖✨️🌻
Just less of the unnecessary draining stuff and more of the nourishing goodness... Always should be YES to all these! Less comparing, more celebrating yourself. Less needing to know, more trusting life. Less overthinking, more mindful. Less saying yes to others, more honouring... (edited) read more
23
13
#philosophy
3d
INTP
Libra
1 Award
Noone is compatible with INTPs. They're disliked too much🤣🤣
16
13
#philosophy
4d
INTP
Leo
It's a me
20
15
#boo
27d
ENFP
Cancer
6 Awards
Gloomtrollers
A "Gloomtroller" is a person who habitually finds the negative in any situation and feels compelled to express their dissatisfaction through negative or controversial remarks. They thrive on creating a sense of unease or conflict, often projecting their own unhappiness onto others. Characteristics... read more
41
27
#boo
11d
ENFP
Cancer
5 Awards
The Impact of Acronym Use on Communication and Connections
It appears that some B00 users may be experiencing challenges in #communication and forming connections. I've observed a decline in communication skills by individuals using acronyms like "hmu" (hit me up) or "wyd" (what are you doing). Through my research, I've discovered that this style of... read more
32
29
#psychology
6d
ENFP
Cancer
2 Awards
Say Goodbye to These 10 Habits for a Better You Next Year
When it comes to self-improvement, it's not about a new wardrobe or a fatter bank account. It's about letting go of bad #habits that hold you back. By shedding these habits, you allow yourself to become the best version of who you truly are. If you're serious about enhancing yourself next year,... read more
23
3
#boo
22d
ENFP
Cancer
2 Awards
Thoughts on B00 Conduct When in a Relationship
I've observed that some women, who are married or in committed #relationships, are posting selfies and provocative pictures of themselves on here on B00. To me, this behavior can appear disrespectful to their partners and the #relationship itself. B00: More Than Just Dating While the B00 platform... read more
32
22
#intj
11d
INTJ
Scorpio
😊🖤
#memes #philosophy #psychology #motivation
35
14