childhood’s end: one small choice feraco myth to science fiction 8 january 2013

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Childhood’s End: Childhood’s End: One Small Choice One Small Choice Feraco Feraco Myth to Science Fiction Myth to Science Fiction 8 January 2013 8 January 2013

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Page 1: Childhood’s End: One Small Choice Feraco Myth to Science Fiction 8 January 2013

Childhood’s End: Childhood’s End: One Small ChoiceOne Small Choice

FeracoFeraco

Myth to Science FictionMyth to Science Fiction

8 January 20138 January 2013

Page 2: Childhood’s End: One Small Choice Feraco Myth to Science Fiction 8 January 2013

Are we free?Are we free?

Are we good?Are we good?

Are we here for a reason?Are we here for a reason?

Page 3: Childhood’s End: One Small Choice Feraco Myth to Science Fiction 8 January 2013

Can life be meaningful if our Can life be meaningful if our choices aren’t ours to make? choices aren’t ours to make?

Should we try to resist our Should we try to resist our human nature (if it’s even human nature (if it’s even possible)? possible)?

Is a talented artist still worthy Is a talented artist still worthy of respect if a divine being guided of respect if a divine being guided her hand – or even simply provided her hand – or even simply provided conditions that allowed her to take conditions that allowed her to take advantage of her talents?advantage of her talents?

What if it isn’t God, but society, What if it isn’t God, but society, that provides her with the that provides her with the conditions she needs?conditions she needs?

Page 4: Childhood’s End: One Small Choice Feraco Myth to Science Fiction 8 January 2013

The principles behind a meritocracy The principles behind a meritocracy are fairly simple:are fairly simple:

All humans make choices.All humans make choices.In most situations, human beings In most situations, human beings

will make the right choices.will make the right choices.In some situations, one or more In some situations, one or more

right choices and one or more wrong right choices and one or more wrong choices will be available; individuals will choices will be available; individuals will have reasons for making both correct have reasons for making both correct and incorrect choices. and incorrect choices.

Individuals who resist the Individuals who resist the temptations of bad choices and temptations of bad choices and consistently make wise ones will be consistently make wise ones will be rewarded for their rewarded for their virtuesvirtues – which are, of – which are, of course, demonstrated by their choices. course, demonstrated by their choices.

Page 5: Childhood’s End: One Small Choice Feraco Myth to Science Fiction 8 January 2013

Now look closer. Now look closer. A meritocracy purports to reward A meritocracy purports to reward

one thing: virtue. one thing: virtue. We may claim to care about the end We may claim to care about the end

result of something more than the result of something more than the motivation behind it, but we motivation behind it, but we dodo value value that motivation greatly. that motivation greatly.

If someone gives you a genuine If someone gives you a genuine compliment, and another person gives compliment, and another person gives you that same compliment later in order you that same compliment later in order to manipulate you into liking them more, to manipulate you into liking them more, we could claim that they’ve done the we could claim that they’ve done the same thing.same thing.

Page 6: Childhood’s End: One Small Choice Feraco Myth to Science Fiction 8 January 2013

But in your eyes, those But in your eyes, those actions certainly aren’t actions certainly aren’t equivalent. equivalent.

The thing that distinguishes The thing that distinguishes them – motivation – gives them them – motivation – gives them meaning, because we believe meaning, because we believe that those motivations reflect that those motivations reflect the “core” of a person. the “core” of a person.

In theory, meritocracies In theory, meritocracies function the same way, and for function the same way, and for the same reason: to reward a the same reason: to reward a man for his goodness.man for his goodness.

Page 7: Childhood’s End: One Small Choice Feraco Myth to Science Fiction 8 January 2013

But they can’t function that way. But they can’t function that way.

Who walks around in today’s Who walks around in today’s society measuring virtue – society measuring virtue – capabilities, capacity for goodness, capabilities, capacity for goodness, or potential, really, since that’s all or potential, really, since that’s all undemonstrated virtue really is? undemonstrated virtue really is?

We measure action, not virtue. We measure action, not virtue.

As a culture (or a mishmash of As a culture (or a mishmash of different ones), we’ve learned to different ones), we’ve learned to obsess over actions, deeds, obsess over actions, deeds, resultsresults, , even at the expense of caring about even at the expense of caring about what someone what someone couldcould do. do.

Page 8: Childhood’s End: One Small Choice Feraco Myth to Science Fiction 8 January 2013

It’s why so many of my students, It’s why so many of my students, whether my freshmen in years past whether my freshmen in years past or my seniors from this year, list a or my seniors from this year, list a desired grade as one of the primary desired grade as one of the primary things they want out of my class on things they want out of my class on their their Great ExpectationsGreat Expectations assignment: assignment: the grade represents a tangible the grade represents a tangible demonstration of their capabilities. demonstration of their capabilities.

An A isn’t meant to just be some An A isn’t meant to just be some letter: it’s a reaffirmation to the letter: it’s a reaffirmation to the larger world that Student X is an larger world that Student X is an exceptional Y. exceptional Y.

Page 9: Childhood’s End: One Small Choice Feraco Myth to Science Fiction 8 January 2013

And that’s all well and good, really.And that’s all well and good, really. I care less about whether you’re intelligent I care less about whether you’re intelligent

than about whether you a) actually learned than about whether you a) actually learned something and b) were able to use what you something and b) were able to use what you learned.learned.

On the other hand, if I made it impossible On the other hand, if I made it impossible for you to learn, it’s not exactly fair for me to for you to learn, it’s not exactly fair for me to condemn you for your failure. condemn you for your failure.

This is why Gladwell spends the bulk of This is why Gladwell spends the bulk of Outliers Outliers savaging what he sees as deeply flawed savaging what he sees as deeply flawed excuses for modern meritocracies.excuses for modern meritocracies.

By his arguments, we shouldn’t spend our By his arguments, we shouldn’t spend our time reflexively praising the advantaged or time reflexively praising the advantaged or condemning the handicapped; doing either condemning the handicapped; doing either presupposes we live in a society that provides presupposes we live in a society that provides people with equal opportunities, and Gladwell’s people with equal opportunities, and Gladwell’s able to show – fairly convincing – that on a lot of able to show – fairly convincing – that on a lot of levels, we really don’t.levels, we really don’t.

Page 10: Childhood’s End: One Small Choice Feraco Myth to Science Fiction 8 January 2013

When it comes to choice, both on a personal When it comes to choice, both on a personal and societal level, we’re taught – and we teach – and societal level, we’re taught – and we teach – some very basic lessons. some very basic lessons.

For the most part, we teach our children For the most part, we teach our children that our choices determine our actions – that that our choices determine our actions – that most things don’t “just happen,” or happen by most things don’t “just happen,” or happen by mistake. mistake.

After we make it clear to our kids that they After we make it clear to our kids that they can decide, and that their decisions determine can decide, and that their decisions determine what they do, we also make it clear that the what they do, we also make it clear that the things they do have consequences; the easy things they do have consequences; the easy follow-up lesson, of course, is for them to follow-up lesson, of course, is for them to consider the consequences of their actions consider the consequences of their actions before deciding to act.before deciding to act.

Ultimately, we urge our children to make Ultimately, we urge our children to make choices that improve their lives, that improve the choices that improve their lives, that improve the lives of friends and family members, and that lives of friends and family members, and that benefit our society and environment. benefit our society and environment.

Page 11: Childhood’s End: One Small Choice Feraco Myth to Science Fiction 8 January 2013

We teach these things because We teach these things because we’ve been taught they’re valuable. we’ve been taught they’re valuable.

But you can see that these But you can see that these teachings rest on the assumption that teachings rest on the assumption that we live in a universe in which choices we live in a universe in which choices matter, in which free will reigns matter, in which free will reigns supreme. supreme.

That doesn’t go for all things, as That doesn’t go for all things, as we act instinctually or automatically we act instinctually or automatically in many ways. in many ways.

Obviously, you don’t have to Obviously, you don’t have to choose to breathe, or to make your choose to breathe, or to make your heart beat at a certain rate; those heart beat at a certain rate; those things are just unconscious responses things are just unconscious responses to stimuli. to stimuli.

Page 12: Childhood’s End: One Small Choice Feraco Myth to Science Fiction 8 January 2013

Yet those silly examples perfectly Yet those silly examples perfectly illustrate why we think choices illustrate why we think choices shouldshould have value: we don’t much like the have value: we don’t much like the idea that we’re pawns, that we’re idea that we’re pawns, that we’re carrying out actions like automatons. carrying out actions like automatons.

Choice is what allows the “actor” Choice is what allows the “actor” (i.e., the person making the decision) (i.e., the person making the decision) to do something that exceeds/differs to do something that exceeds/differs from an automatic response: we from an automatic response: we believe we’re superior to other believe we’re superior to other animals because animals because wewe can govern our can govern our instincts.instincts.

But what if we’re working with But what if we’re working with incorrect assumptions?incorrect assumptions?

Page 13: Childhood’s End: One Small Choice Feraco Myth to Science Fiction 8 January 2013

Universal causality (which I’ll Universal causality (which I’ll abbreviate as “UC,” and also call abbreviate as “UC,” and also call “determinism”) questions those “determinism”) questions those assumptions, as well as the idea of assumptions, as well as the idea of free will in general. free will in general.

UC proponents (such as Albert UC proponents (such as Albert Einstein) assert that every effect has Einstein) assert that every effect has a cause, which is in turn the effect of a cause, which is in turn the effect of another cause. another cause.

(One wonders what the original (One wonders what the original “cause” was!) “cause” was!)

Because cause/effect sequences Because cause/effect sequences aren’t isolated, they bleed into one aren’t isolated, they bleed into one another continuously – hence the another continuously – hence the “universal” in “UC.” “universal” in “UC.”

Page 14: Childhood’s End: One Small Choice Feraco Myth to Science Fiction 8 January 2013

Therefore, Therefore, everythingeverything that occurs that occurs (including every “choice”) simply (including every “choice”) simply represents the inevitable after-effect represents the inevitable after-effect of some seen/unseen cause; there’s of some seen/unseen cause; there’s no such thing as an “uncaused,” no such thing as an “uncaused,” spontaneous event. spontaneous event.

If that’s the case, UC proponents If that’s the case, UC proponents continue, we actors aren’t making continue, we actors aren’t making choices; we’re simply vessels for choices; we’re simply vessels for cause/effect delivery, the means by cause/effect delivery, the means by which the universe maintains itself. which the universe maintains itself.

We’re deceiving ourselves if we We’re deceiving ourselves if we believe our “choices” allow us to do believe our “choices” allow us to do something other than we were something other than we were “meant” to do via cause and effect. “meant” to do via cause and effect.

Page 15: Childhood’s End: One Small Choice Feraco Myth to Science Fiction 8 January 2013

Most UC proponents base their Most UC proponents base their arguments on the assumption that we live in arguments on the assumption that we live in a secular universe. a secular universe.

Another school of thought, however, Another school of thought, however, questions the idea of free will using the questions the idea of free will using the “deity” argument. “deity” argument.

The deity in question is omnipotent and The deity in question is omnipotent and omniscient (all-powerful and all-seeing), omniscient (all-powerful and all-seeing), which makes said deity infallible. which makes said deity infallible.

As an all-seeing being, it sees the future As an all-seeing being, it sees the future – and as an infallible being, it sees it – and as an infallible being, it sees it unerringly. unerringly.

But since the deity can’t possibly be But since the deity can’t possibly be wrong about the future, we are only capable wrong about the future, we are only capable of what it already sees, and can’t possibly do of what it already sees, and can’t possibly do otherwise; our concept of freedom of choice, otherwise; our concept of freedom of choice, in short, is a fiction that blinds us to the very in short, is a fiction that blinds us to the very real limits placed upon us.real limits placed upon us.

Page 16: Childhood’s End: One Small Choice Feraco Myth to Science Fiction 8 January 2013

The final broadside against free The final broadside against free will comes in the form of the “logic” will comes in the form of the “logic” argument. argument. 

It rests on the Excluded Middle It rests on the Excluded Middle and Noncontradiction Laws. and Noncontradiction Laws.

The former states that absolutes The former states that absolutes exist for every proposition; either P exist for every proposition; either P or Not P is true, with no middle or Not P is true, with no middle ground (hello, Baselines!). ground (hello, Baselines!).

The latter merely states that P The latter merely states that P and Not P can’t logically be true at and Not P can’t logically be true at the same time.the same time.

Page 17: Childhood’s End: One Small Choice Feraco Myth to Science Fiction 8 January 2013

Let our proposition Let our proposition (P)(P) be be “Nicky, you’re going to fail your final “Nicky, you’re going to fail your final tomorrow.” tomorrow.”

He either will or won’t; He either will or won’t; obviously, he can’t fail and pass obviously, he can’t fail and pass simultaneously. simultaneously.

If P is a true statement, nothing If P is a true statement, nothing that happens between now and that happens between now and tomorrow will stop him from failing; tomorrow will stop him from failing; if P is untrue…well, nothing that if P is untrue…well, nothing that happens between now and tomorrow happens between now and tomorrow will stop him from succeeding.will stop him from succeeding.

Page 18: Childhood’s End: One Small Choice Feraco Myth to Science Fiction 8 January 2013

Now, it looks like Nicky has two Now, it looks like Nicky has two “options.” “options.”

Either he’ll pass, or he’ll fail. Either he’ll pass, or he’ll fail.

However, we’ve already established However, we’ve already established that that only one can be trueonly one can be true..

Therefore, one of the “options” is Therefore, one of the “options” is necessarily false – a necessarily false – a fakefake choice. choice.

And since only one of the options is And since only one of the options is really present, Nicky is powerless to really present, Nicky is powerless to choose the other. choose the other.

In order to be free, you have to have In order to be free, you have to have choices – choices – and Nicky doesn’t really have and Nicky doesn’t really have themthem. .

Scary! Scary!

Page 19: Childhood’s End: One Small Choice Feraco Myth to Science Fiction 8 January 2013

Obviously, people have plenty Obviously, people have plenty of arguments for the existence of of arguments for the existence of free will as well. free will as well.

For the “deity” argument, we For the “deity” argument, we assume the being can perfectly see assume the being can perfectly see the things it controls. the things it controls.

Because it knows its creations, Because it knows its creations, it can accurately predict any it can accurately predict any possible choice one could make in possible choice one could make in response to a given situation. response to a given situation.

But that, the rejoinder goes, is But that, the rejoinder goes, is exactly exactly whywhy it can still grant us free it can still grant us free will. will.

Page 20: Childhood’s End: One Small Choice Feraco Myth to Science Fiction 8 January 2013

Think of someone who’s really good at Think of someone who’s really good at chess: he still sees the endgame, predicts the chess: he still sees the endgame, predicts the actions of the other player, and brings about actions of the other player, and brings about the steps to make that endgame real…but the steps to make that endgame real…but doesn’t need to absolutely control the doesn’t need to absolutely control the actions of the other player (i.e., reach over actions of the other player (i.e., reach over and move his pieces for him) in order to make and move his pieces for him) in order to make it happen.it happen.

Instead, he does his best to influence Instead, he does his best to influence the conditions that affect his opponent’s the conditions that affect his opponent’s choice…even knowing full well that his choice…even knowing full well that his opponent opponent couldcould suddenly behave differently. suddenly behave differently.

As Martin Luther King, Jr. puts it, “we As Martin Luther King, Jr. puts it, “we are responsible human beings, not blind are responsible human beings, not blind automatons; persons, not puppets. By automatons; persons, not puppets. By endowing us with freedom, God relinquished endowing us with freedom, God relinquished a measure of his own sovereignty and a measure of his own sovereignty and imposed certain limitations upon himself.” imposed certain limitations upon himself.”

Page 21: Childhood’s End: One Small Choice Feraco Myth to Science Fiction 8 January 2013

As for the “logic” scenario, let’s say that As for the “logic” scenario, let’s say that Nicky really, really, Nicky really, really, reallyreally doesn’t want to fail his doesn’t want to fail his final. final.

Let’s also say he’s “destined” to pass. Let’s also say he’s “destined” to pass. (Whew.) (Whew.)

Does this really mean he has no choice? Does this really mean he has no choice? After all, there are different ways to pass: After all, there are different ways to pass:

Nicky can study alone, study with friends, speak Nicky can study alone, study with friends, speak with his instructor (always a good idea), or even with his instructor (always a good idea), or even cheat (tsk tsk). cheat (tsk tsk).

In any case, Nicky still has choices In any case, Nicky still has choices withinwithin his outcome! his outcome!

You know you’re going to eat – you can’t You know you’re going to eat – you can’t choose not to, at least not forever – but you don’t choose not to, at least not forever – but you don’t necessarily know what you’ll eat…and that necessarily know what you’ll eat…and that decision could very well be yours after all! decision could very well be yours after all!

Is that, in the end, our true definition of Is that, in the end, our true definition of free will?free will?

Page 22: Childhood’s End: One Small Choice Feraco Myth to Science Fiction 8 January 2013

Finally, the Determinists argued that Finally, the Determinists argued that your only free actions are ones you do your only free actions are ones you do without cause; since the Determinists believe without cause; since the Determinists believe in UC, everything has a cause – so, in short, in UC, everything has a cause – so, in short, you can’t do anything freely. you can’t do anything freely.

IndeterministsIndeterminists also argue that your only also argue that your only free actions are ones you do without cause – free actions are ones you do without cause – “uncaused” free actions. “uncaused” free actions.

However, they say, we’re obviously free, However, they say, we’re obviously free, so why buy into any argument that tries to so why buy into any argument that tries to convince that what you know to be true isn’t convince that what you know to be true isn’t – especially since UC isn’t really a scientific – especially since UC isn’t really a scientific principle? principle?

(I’m going to be honest: I don’t like the (I’m going to be honest: I don’t like the incurious attitude of “Well, this is obvious, so incurious attitude of “Well, this is obvious, so I’m going to ignore everything to the I’m going to ignore everything to the contrary”…but your mileage may vary.)contrary”…but your mileage may vary.)

Page 23: Childhood’s End: One Small Choice Feraco Myth to Science Fiction 8 January 2013

Compatibilists,Compatibilists, who argue that free who argue that free acts can be taken as long as their acts can be taken as long as their cause lies in the inner state of the cause lies in the inner state of the person – a desire, an intention, etc. – person – a desire, an intention, etc. – are perhaps a better alternative to the are perhaps a better alternative to the unyielding arguments of the unyielding arguments of the Determinists. Determinists.

Since they assert that our inner Since they assert that our inner choices/causes determine our will, and choices/causes determine our will, and that we, rather than other forces, that we, rather than other forces, power the cause/effect mechanism, the power the cause/effect mechanism, the Compatibilists can get free will to line Compatibilists can get free will to line up with UC quite nicely. up with UC quite nicely.

Page 24: Childhood’s End: One Small Choice Feraco Myth to Science Fiction 8 January 2013

This may look like one of those This may look like one of those philosophical talks that turn boring philosophical talks that turn boring because there’s no conclusion in sight. because there’s no conclusion in sight.

But the discussion of whether we But the discussion of whether we have control over our actions – over the have control over our actions – over the course of our own lives – remains a course of our own lives – remains a pertinent one, both for pertinent one, both for Childhood’s End Childhood’s End and for ourselves. and for ourselves.

The questions it raises force us to The questions it raises force us to evaluate just how we wish to go evaluate just how we wish to go through life – not simply whether we through life – not simply whether we can decide what we do, but whether we can decide what we do, but whether we livelive while doing so. while doing so.

Page 25: Childhood’s End: One Small Choice Feraco Myth to Science Fiction 8 January 2013

The right to choose may be The right to choose may be valuable, but it also gives us a valuable, but it also gives us a tremendous amount of tremendous amount of responsibility. responsibility.

After all, it seems to me that After all, it seems to me that true happiness can’t be obtained true happiness can’t be obtained passively. passively.

We owe it to ourselves, in We owe it to ourselves, in other words, to actively place other words, to actively place ourselves in positions where we ourselves in positions where we can earn our happiness.can earn our happiness.

Page 26: Childhood’s End: One Small Choice Feraco Myth to Science Fiction 8 January 2013

We must build societies that don’t We must build societies that don’t deny people the ability to make the deny people the ability to make the choices that would bring them choices that would bring them happiness for arbitrary reasons that we happiness for arbitrary reasons that we don’t even fully consider. don’t even fully consider.

And if we can choose between right And if we can choose between right and wrong, that means we can make and wrong, that means we can make moral judgments – and disagree over moral judgments – and disagree over moral matters. moral matters.

You’ve matured to the point where You’ve matured to the point where the mere recognition of relative the mere recognition of relative morality is no longer sufficient: you morality is no longer sufficient: you must learn to navigate it.must learn to navigate it.

The question, then, becomes one of The question, then, becomes one of howhow one can navigate it. one can navigate it.