Neuroscience, Psychology Eroding Idea of Free Will 867
pragueexpat writes "Do we have free will? Possibly not, according to an article in the new issue of the Economist. Entitled 'Free to choose?', the piece examines new discoveries in the fields of neuroscience and psychology that may be forcing us to re-examine the concept of free will. The specifically cite a man with paedophilic tendencies who was cured when his brain tumor was removed. 'Who then was the child abuser?', they ask. The predictable conclusion of this train of thought, of course, leads us to efforts by Britain: 'At the moment, the criminal law--in the West, at least--is based on the idea that the criminal exercised a choice: no choice, no criminal. The British government, though, is seeking to change the law in order to lock up people with personality disorders that are thought to make them likely to commit crimes, before any crime is committed.'"
Free Wii! (Score:1, Funny)
Lock up all the Republican aides (Score:1, Funny)
I was much more interesed (Score:3, Funny)
i hate it when i misread the headline
Re:quantum physics has a large hole for "free will (Score:3, Funny)
"at the very base of quantum physics is the measurement problem: when a measurement is made, the many quantum possiblities of particles collapse into one actuality. so far, no one has any explanation of what determines which possibility becomes the actuality, and some physicists believe the choice is made by the conscious observer."
Yeah, well in Britain the conscious observer is the Government, and they've decided you're fucking guilty.
Re:Free Wii! (Score:4, Funny)
Re:quantum physics has a large hole for "free will (Score:3, Funny)
The Internet is built on a foundation of pornography, and cannot exist without porn, especially hot celebrity porn. The Internet is also everywhere, and contains the sum total of all useful knowledge, and can therefore be said to be omniscient. An omniscient entity cannot cease to exist.
Therefore, in order to avoid the paradox of something that cannot cease to exist ceasing to exist, Brittany Spears, being a hot celebrity, could not avoid appearing in Internet porn at some point.
You forgot something (Score:5, Funny)
Possible UK Law (Score:3, Funny)
Re:leave to the british (Score:5, Funny)
By Jove! No-one's ever thought of that before! Usually we just give criminals a jolly good talking to, but this "Jail" idea of yours might just do the trick!
Re:leave to the british (Score:3, Funny)
Re:leave to the british (Score:5, Funny)
No, I never questioned your facts. I questioned your opinions.
I never said that not wanting to have your movements recorded when you are in public spaces is indicative of criminal behaviour. What I said is that people who worry about CCTV cameras are worrying too much. Let me give you an example. I work in the security industry.
You like CCTV cameras because you're one of the watchers, they are part of your means to bread and butter.
The watchees, hoewever, feel differently.