Universe fine tuned?

[xoggoth]

we have to consciously choose the right path, it is what separates us from the "beasts"

So your answer for a-d is basically "because". I am impressed.

Let me be more specific, on c for example. Head injury or brain damage due to illness is a probable factor in a number of famous "evil" men, like Henry VIII, Ivan the Terrible and Fred West. What if you fell off a ladder and became cold and uncaring or even violent to your family as a result of the injury, how is that your fault? Yet where in any established religion is there even a hint that sin is relative?

[Spacecadet]

So your answer for a-d is basically "because". I am impressed.

No

As I said Freedom of Choice and actively choosing the right thing to do. Without choice we are not conscious. Without consciousness we're merely machines.

[TimberWolf]

A creator is as good a theory as any...

Doesn't solve anything though does it. Unless you're happy with the creator created himself bollards.

I quite like the idea that nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, existing being impossibly improbable. It's not even comprehensible. A bit like numbers that didn't have interesting properties.

[xoggoth]

Our freedom of choice may be limited by factors beyond our control. Are you seriosuly saying that anyone without absolute freedom of choice, anyone who is not to some extent defined by their personality, is not conscious? Can't be many conscious people around in that case. What of external pressures? Is a homeless man who hasn't eaten for days and steals a loaf of bread really as much to blame as a rich man who steals for the fun of it?

[TimberWolf]

Our freedom of choice...

There is no freedom of choice IMO. Decisions are either random or deterministic. What other choice is there? We're machines.

[xoggoth]

with the creator created himself bollards

Either X must have have created itself or it always existed. No more/less plausible, whether X is matter or man.

[Spacecadet]

There is no freedom of choice IMO. Decisions are either random or deterministic. What other choice is there? We're machines.

Believe in what you will

and so disbelief in free will may make behavior more reliant on selfish, automatic impulses and therefore less socially desirable

Prosocial benefits of feeling free: di... [Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2009] - PubMed - NCBI

[xoggoth]

Decisions are either random or deterministic

??? You must be one hell of a contractor TW!

To say there is no free will is patently untrue, we all make decisions. But realistically there are limits set by outside factors and our own personalities. Given enough determination, a shy person might become more socially active but he won't make a top saleman.

[TimberWolf]

To say there is no free will is patently untrue

What makes you say that?

[TimberWolf]

Believe in what you will


Prosocial benefits of feeling free: di... [Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2009] - PubMed - NCBI

Well if you believe in free will and don't believe decisions are made either deterministicly or randomly, how do you think decisions are made?