Free Will vs. Determinism

To that end, please begin your post with the following statements:

”I have not used AI to write any part of this post for me. I would not do that, because I am not a dishonest person.”

I will deduct 10 points if these statements are missing from your post.

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With that being said, reflect on this quote from Albert Einstein:

“Everything is determined, the beginning as well as the end, by forces over which we have no control.”

Einstein did not believe that the laws of physics left anything to chance. Instead, he claimed that everything is determined, so that what happens now is the inevitable result of events that took place billions of years ago.

Now consider this claim:

Even if Einstein is right and everything is determined by the past, we still have free will.

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In your initial post, please address the following:

1. On a scale of 0-10, how confident are you that this claim is true? To be clear, I am not asking you if you think Einstein was right about everything being determined. I am asking whether we could still have free will if we assume Einstein was right. Please bear in mind that a 0 expresses absolute confidence that this claim is false and a 10 expresses absolute confidence that this claim is true. If you are absolutely confident, then you have no doubt at all that you are right. Here is one way to think about that. If I am absolutely confident in my belief, then it makes sense for me to be willing to bet anything and everything that I am right. So absolute confidence means I think it would be sensible to bet my life and the life of everyone I love to gain a single dollar, because I think there is no chance that I am wrong.

2. Please explain what led you to this level of confidence. Please be sure to include a story about how your experience has influenced your confidence, and remember your Perspectives lessons. Your story should be a HIT. Stories should be honest, important, and to the point, but you don’t need to have firsthand experience with something to share a personal story about how your experience has shaped your belief.

3. Think about and explain why somebody else might not share your level of confidence.

4. Reflecting on why somebody else might disagree, do you think a different level of confidence might be reasonable? Please be explicit on this point, and explain why or why not. Remember, even if you can understand why somebody might disgaree, that does not imply that you found their belief reasonable.

Your initial post should be at least 300 words.

After your initial post, please select another student with a significantly different perspective. Reply to that student’s post with a summary of their view that fully and accurately captures their perspective. The purpose of the reply is to show that you have a detailed understanding of a different perspective from your own. In your reply, avoid expressing your views and trying to debate or persuade. You should only focus on what the other student thinks, not what you believe or what you agree with. Your reply should be at least 150 words.

👮‍♂️ To prevent plagiarism, you will not be allowed to see other posts until after you have posted, and you will not be allowed to edit your post afterward. If you try to get a chance to see other posts before posting your answer by submitting a non-answer such as single period mark, I will grade that as your answer. Also please recall that you are not allowed to use AI to write your posts or reply.

How confident are you (0–10) that we still have free will if everything is determined?,
What personal experience shaped your confidence level?,
Why might someone else disagree with your confidence?,
Could their different level of confidence still be reasonable?,
Why is Einstein’s quote significant in this debate?

Discussion Board Grading Criteria

Your grade will be based on the following criteria:

1. Initial post is at least 300 words.

2. Initial post provides a scored confidence level and a thoughtful and clear explanation of what led you to this level of confidence, including a HIT story.

3. Initial post includes a thoughtful and clear explanation of why somebody else may not share this level of confidence.

4. Initial post provides a thoughtful and clear explanation of whether a different level of confidence might also be reasonable.

5. Reply is at least 150 words.

6. Reply provides a clear and complete summary of a significantly different perspective from another student and avoids discussing your own views and trying to debate or persuade.

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