Is determinism disproved by quantum mechanics? If there is an inherent probability distribution to the universe, can there really be any certainty with regard to the unfolding of events? How is this connected to free will?
>>8149418
uh oh
it's a "/lit/ tries to do science" thread
>>8149425
something hangin out of her nose
>>8149418
hidden variable theories have not been ruled out. so no.
>>8149418
>>8149436
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/qm-bohm/
Not necessarily.
>How is this connected to free will?
If determinism is true, free will is false (per incompatibilists). But it's if, not iff; determinism can be false without free will being true. If your decisions are influenced solely by genes and circumstances etc, you have no (incompatibilist) free will. Adding a perfect RNG to some point of that process doesn't give you free will, it just gives you unpredictability.
You can't define free will.
>>8149537
Free will is the capacity of an agent, in having made a choice, to have chosen otherwise in identical circumstances.
>>8149537
Free Will - the idea that one's decisions is purely based on the individuals wants, needs, and values.
That all depends on the interpretation of QM. There's interpretations that do rule out determinism and interpretations that don't. But nobody knows for sure, it's speculation at this point.
>>8149561
And why is that capacity relevant for anything?
>>8149418
no determinism is not disproved by quantum mechanics. the uncertainty principle only explains that our current detection abilities will introduce chaos
>>8149617
It offers a seat for moral responsibility.
>>8149629
How? Literally nothing would be different if it didn't exist.
>>8149632
>How?
If no agent has ever had the capacity to have chosen other than they did, then, some argue, no agent has ever had moral responsibility for any of their actions.
>>8149636
But whether or not people possess moral responsibility has no effect on the actions of anyone.
>>8149639
It might. We might stop punishing people for any reason other than to discourage future offenders.
It's also fairly well established that feeling lucky to be where they are in life makes successful people more generous. A widespread belief in the non-existence of free will might thus very plausibly increase charitable activity.
>>8149642
>We might stop punishing people for any reason other than to discourage future offenders.
But that's the only reason why punishments exist.
>>8149425
cute
>>8149644
No, it's not.
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/justice-retributive/
