Shifting Gears #1: Shifting Gears #1: One Small ChoiceOne Small Choice

FeracoFeraco

Myth to Science FictionMyth to Science Fiction

12 April 201012 April 2010

The Shifting Gears SeriesThe Shifting Gears Series

Originally designed to cover concerns Originally designed to cover concerns from a variety of works – from a variety of works – The Matrix,The Matrix, Siddhartha, Macbeth, Anthem, 1984, Siddhartha, Macbeth, Anthem, 1984, and and Brave New WorldBrave New World – used by either one or – used by either one or both of the Myth to Science Fiction and both of the Myth to Science Fiction and Search for Human Potential CoursesSearch for Human Potential Courses

Incorporated larger philosophical concerns Incorporated larger philosophical concerns into our courseworkinto our coursework

Gave us insight into the ways both the Gave us insight into the ways both the ancient and modern world viewed some of ancient and modern world viewed some of life’s most important issueslife’s most important issues

The Shifting Gears SeriesThe Shifting Gears Series Reworked to target Building a Better Reworked to target Building a Better

World works: World works: 1984, Brave New World, 1984, Brave New World, Slaughter-house Five, Never Let Me Go, Slaughter-house Five, Never Let Me Go, The Matrix, The Matrix, and and Eternal Sunshine of the Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless MindSpotless Mind

Ties into the “Dismantle.Repair” work Ties into the “Dismantle.Repair” work we’ll be doing in April and May on we’ll be doing in April and May on education, justice, and labor, as well as to education, justice, and labor, as well as to our final utopia workour final utopia work

Only a couple of formal Brave New World Only a couple of formal Brave New World lectures in store (you’ll receive study lectures in store (you’ll receive study guides and handouts to guide you)guides and handouts to guide you)

What is Choice?What is Choice? Choice vs. DestinyChoice vs. Destiny The Functions of Free WillThe Functions of Free Will Universal Causality/DeterminismUniversal Causality/Determinism Other Arguments Against Free WillOther Arguments Against Free Will

The “God” ArgumentThe “God” Argument The “Logic” ArgumentThe “Logic” Argument

Arguments For Free WillArguments For Free Will Determinists vs. Libertarians vs. Compatibilists vs. Determinists vs. Libertarians vs. Compatibilists vs.

AgentsAgents What Are Your Views on Choice and Free Will? What Are Your Views on Choice and Free Will?

Which Factors Influence Them?Which Factors Influence Them? How Do These Views Affect Everything Else?How Do These Views Affect Everything Else?

Choice vs. DestinyChoice vs. Destiny Do you think it’s important to have free Do you think it’s important to have free

will? Would you be OK without it?will? Would you be OK without it? If we have control, can it be superseded If we have control, can it be superseded

by something else?by something else? If we don’t have control, who does?If we don’t have control, who does? Can that control be trusted?Can that control be trusted? Does truth lie somewhere in between?Does truth lie somewhere in between? Are we capable of resisting human Are we capable of resisting human

nature?nature? Can life still be meaningful without Can life still be meaningful without

control?control?

Choice vs. Destiny in “The Choice vs. Destiny in “The Matrix”Matrix” How much control does Neo have over How much control does Neo have over

what happens to him?what happens to him? Is he a free agent, or a piece on a Is he a free agent, or a piece on a

chessboard?chessboard? How many choices does Neo make?How many choices does Neo make? How many people try to influence him?How many people try to influence him? Does Neo have a destiny?Does Neo have a destiny? Is it possible for Neo to fail if he has a Is it possible for Neo to fail if he has a

destiny?destiny? Does he still have to look both ways Does he still have to look both ways

while crossing the street?while crossing the street?

The Functions of Free WillThe Functions of Free Will Let’s assume for a minute that destiny exists Let’s assume for a minute that destiny exists

– and that choice doesn’t– and that choice doesn’t Do we still have morals?Do we still have morals? What happens to responsibility?What happens to responsibility? Are we still “creative”?Are we still “creative”?

If we assume that destiny doesn’t exist, but If we assume that destiny doesn’t exist, but that choice does, what happens to, say, the that choice does, what happens to, say, the karma concept?karma concept?

If choice doesn’t exist, can you really find If choice doesn’t exist, can you really find your own way?your own way?

Is it even possible to live one’s life under the Is it even possible to live one’s life under the assumption that all appearance of choice is assumption that all appearance of choice is meaningless, and that we don’t actually meaningless, and that we don’t actually control anything?control anything?

Universal Universal Causality/DeterminismCausality/Determinism Universal causality states that Universal causality states that everyevery

effect has a cause, which is in turn the effect has a cause, which is in turn the effect of effect of anotheranother cause cause It makes one wonder what the original “cause” It makes one wonder what the original “cause”

was!was! This was Einstein’s world-viewThis was Einstein’s world-view Causality presupposes that choice is an Causality presupposes that choice is an

illusion – that everything we do is simply illusion – that everything we do is simply the inevitable after-effect of some cause, the inevitable after-effect of some cause, seen or unseen, and that we’re essentially seen or unseen, and that we’re essentially just vessels for cause/effect deliveryjust vessels for cause/effect delivery

This is also known as This is also known as determinismdeterminism

The “God” ArgumentThe “God” Argument Besides UC/Determinism, two other Besides UC/Determinism, two other

popular arguments against free will often popular arguments against free will often surfacesurface

The “God” argument (presupposes The “God” argument (presupposes monotheistic religious belief)monotheistic religious belief)

God is omnipotent and omniscient (all-God is omnipotent and omniscient (all-powerful and all-seeing), which makes powerful and all-seeing), which makes God infallibleGod infallible

God knows the future as a result of the God knows the future as a result of the “omni” combination“omni” combination

Therefore, God can’t possibly be wrong Therefore, God can’t possibly be wrong about the future – which means we can about the future – which means we can only do what God already sees, and can’t only do what God already sees, and can’t possibly do otherwisepossibly do otherwise

The “Logic” ArgumentThe “Logic” Argument

The second argument is the “Logic” The second argument is the “Logic” argumentargument

““Excluded Middle” law states that Excluded Middle” law states that absolutes exist for every absolutes exist for every proposition: Either P or Not P is true, proposition: Either P or Not P is true, with no middle groundwith no middle ground

““Noncontradiction” law states that P Noncontradiction” law states that P and Not P can’t be true at the same and Not P can’t be true at the same timetime

The “Logic” Argument The “Logic” Argument ContinuedContinued Let our proposition – Let our proposition – PP – be “Cherry – – be “Cherry –

you’re going to fail your final you’re going to fail your final tomorrow.”tomorrow.”

Either she will or she won’tEither she will or she won’t If she If she willwill, nothing that happens , nothing that happens

between now and then will stop her between now and then will stop her from doing sofrom doing so

If she won’t, the same holds true, If she won’t, the same holds true, right?right?

The “Logic” Argument The “Logic” Argument ContinuedContinued Now it looks like Cherry has two Now it looks like Cherry has two

“options” – she either will or won’t “options” – she either will or won’t fail fail

However, since only one can be true, However, since only one can be true, only one is really present – and she’s only one is really present – and she’s powerless to choose the otherpowerless to choose the other

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

Scary!Scary!

So Free Will Doesn’t Exist? Thanks So Free Will Doesn’t Exist? Thanks for Ruining My Monday, Mr. for Ruining My Monday, Mr. Feraco…Feraco… Not necessarily; there’s a reason this question has Not necessarily; there’s a reason this question has

fascinated people for centuries.fascinated people for centuries. For the “God” argument, we can say that the “omni” For the “God” argument, we can say that the “omni”

force can perfectly see the things it controls – and that, force can perfectly see the things it controls – and that, because it knows its creations so well, it can accurately because it knows its creations so well, it can accurately predict any possible choice one could make in response predict any possible choice one could make in response to a given situationto a given situation

However, it could still grant us free will – and therefore However, it could still grant us free will – and therefore serves more as someone who’s really good at a strategy serves more as someone who’s really good at a strategy game (still sees the endgame, predicts the actions of game (still sees the endgame, predicts the actions of the other player, and brings about the steps to make the other player, and brings about the steps to make that endgame real – but doesn’t need to absolutely that endgame real – but doesn’t need to absolutely control the actions of the other player)control the actions of the other player)

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

What About the Logic What About the Logic Scenario?Scenario? As for the “logic” scenario, let’s say that Cherry As for the “logic” scenario, let’s say that Cherry

really, really, reallyreally doesn’t want to fail her final. doesn’t want to fail her final. We’ll also say she’s “destined” to pass. (Whew.)We’ll also say she’s “destined” to pass. (Whew.) Does this really mean she has no choice?Does this really mean she has no choice? After all, there are different ways to passAfter all, there are different ways to pass She can study aloneShe can study alone She can study with friendsShe can study with friends She can speak with her instructor (always a good She can speak with her instructor (always a good

idea)idea) She can cheat (tsk tsk)She can cheat (tsk tsk) In any case, Cherry still has choices within her In any case, Cherry still has choices within her

outcome! outcome! You know you’re going to eat, but you don’t You know you’re going to eat, but you don’t

necessarily know what you’ll eat – and that decision necessarily know what you’ll eat – and that decision could very well be yours after all!could very well be yours after all!

Is Is thatthat the definition of free will? the definition of free will?

Arguments in Favor of Free Arguments in Favor of Free WillWill Determinists argued that your only free Determinists argued that your only free

actions are ones you do without cause actions are ones you do without cause But since we (the Ds) believe in UC, But since we (the Ds) believe in UC,

everything has a cause – so, in short, you everything has a cause – so, in short, you can’t do anything freelycan’t do anything freely

Libertarians also argue that your only free Libertarians also argue that your only free actions are ones you do without cause – 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 so why buy into any argument that tries to convince that what you know to be true to convince that what you know to be true isn’t – especially since UC isn’t really a isn’t – especially since UC isn’t really a scientific principle?scientific principle?

Arguments in Favor of Free Arguments in Favor of Free WillWill Compatibilists argue that free acts can be Compatibilists argue that free acts can be

taken as long as their cause lies in the inner taken as long as their cause lies in the inner state of the person – a desire, an intention, state of the person – a desire, an intention, etc. etc.

Free will, in essence, lines up with UC nicely – Free will, in essence, lines up with UC nicely – because our inner choices/causes determine because our inner choices/causes determine our will.our will.

Finally, agents argue that free acts are Finally, agents argue that free acts are caused by agents (i.e., people). caused by agents (i.e., people).

UC exists, in that every event has a cause – UC exists, in that every event has a cause – but not every cause is an event itselfbut not every cause is an event itself

Some things have very short causal histories Some things have very short causal histories – not every event has a seemingly infinite – not every event has a seemingly infinite number of causes linking to itnumber of causes linking to it

Argh!!! Does It Exist? Tell Me! Argh!!! Does It Exist? Tell Me! Please?Please? No.No. One of One of Siddhartha’s Siddhartha’s biggest ideas was the biggest ideas was the

thought that one cannot be taught wisdom – that thought that one cannot be taught wisdom – that enlightenment only results from livingenlightenment only results from living

Teachers are helpful insofar as they show you Teachers are helpful insofar as they show you where to find a flashlight and how to turn it onwhere to find a flashlight and how to turn it on

It’s up to you to point the light in the right It’s up to you to point the light in the right direction, to follow it through the darkness, and direction, to follow it through the darkness, and to decide where to goto decide where to go

This is turned on its head in This is turned on its head in Brave New WorldBrave New World and, to an extent, in and, to an extent, in The MatrixThe Matrix

When people can download knowledge or learn in When people can download knowledge or learn in their sleep, is wisdom still possible?their sleep, is wisdom still possible?

1: Remembering1: Remembering

Retrieving, recognizing, and Retrieving, recognizing, and recalling relevant knowledge from recalling relevant knowledge from long-term memory, eg. find out, long-term memory, eg. find out, learn terms, facts, methods, learn terms, facts, methods, procedures, concepts procedures, concepts

Terms: Acquire, Define, Distinguish, Terms: Acquire, Define, Distinguish, Draw, Find, Label, List, Match, Read, Draw, Find, Label, List, Match, Read, Record Record

Examples: 1. Define each of these Examples: 1. Define each of these terms: a, b, c 2. What was terms: a, b, c 2. What was _______________?_______________?

2: Understanding2: Understanding Constructing meaning from oral, written, and Constructing meaning from oral, written, and

graphic messages through interpreting, graphic messages through interpreting, exemplifying, classifying, summarizing, inferring, exemplifying, classifying, summarizing, inferring, comparing, and explaining. Understand uses and comparing, and explaining. Understand uses and implications of terms, facts, methods, implications of terms, facts, methods, procedures, concepts procedures, concepts

Terms: Compare, Demonstrate, Differentiate, Fill Terms: Compare, Demonstrate, Differentiate, Fill in, Find, Group, Outline, Predict, Represent, in, Find, Group, Outline, Predict, Represent, Trace Trace

Examples: 1. Compare a ___________ with a Examples: 1. Compare a ___________ with a __________. 2. Use a set of symbols and graphics to __________. 2. Use a set of symbols and graphics to demonstrate _______________. demonstrate _______________.

3: Applying3: Applying

Carrying out or using a procedure through Carrying out or using a procedure through executing, or implementing. Make use of, executing, or implementing. Make use of, apply practice theory, solve problems, use apply practice theory, solve problems, use information in new situations information in new situations

Terms: Convert, Demonstrate, Terms: Convert, Demonstrate, Differentiate between, Discover, Discuss, Differentiate between, Discover, Discuss, Examine, Experiment, Prepare, Produce, Examine, Experiment, Prepare, Produce, Record Record

Examples: 1. Convert the following into a Examples: 1. Convert the following into a real-world problem: a = b/c. 2. Experiment real-world problem: a = b/c. 2. Experiment with ___________ and ____________ to create with ___________ and ____________ to create _____________. _____________.

4: Analyzing4: Analyzing Breaking material into constituent parts, Breaking material into constituent parts,

determining how the parts relate to one determining how the parts relate to one another and to an overall structure or purpose another and to an overall structure or purpose through differentiating, organizing, and through differentiating, organizing, and attributing. Take concepts apart, break them attributing. Take concepts apart, break them down, analyze structure, recognize down, analyze structure, recognize assumptions and poor logic, evaluate relevancyassumptions and poor logic, evaluate relevancy

Terms: Classify, Determine, Discriminate, Form Terms: Classify, Determine, Discriminate, Form generalizations, Put into categories, Illustrate, generalizations, Put into categories, Illustrate, Select, Survey, Take apart, Transform Select, Survey, Take apart, Transform

Examples: 1. Illustrate examples of two types Examples: 1. Illustrate examples of two types of _________. 2. Dissect and examine a of _________. 2. Dissect and examine a ______________. ______________.

5: Evaluating5: Evaluating

Making judgments based on criteria and Making judgments based on criteria and standards through checking and standards through checking and critiquing. Set standards, judge using critiquing. Set standards, judge using standards, evidence, rubrics, accept or standards, evidence, rubrics, accept or reject on basis of criteria reject on basis of criteria

Terms: Argue, Award, Critique, Defend, Terms: Argue, Award, Critique, Defend, Interpret, Judge, Measure, Select, Test, Interpret, Judge, Measure, Select, Test, Verify Verify

Examples: 1. Defend or negate the Examples: 1. Defend or negate the following statement: "_________________." 2. following statement: "_________________." 2. Judge the value of ___________________. Judge the value of ___________________.

6: Creating6: Creating Putting elements together to form a coherent or Putting elements together to form a coherent or

functional whole; reorganizing elements into a functional whole; reorganizing elements into a new pattern or structure through generating, new pattern or structure through generating, planning, or producing. Put things together; planning, or producing. Put things together; bring together various parts; write theme, bring together various parts; write theme, present speech, plan experiment, put information present speech, plan experiment, put information together in a new & creative waytogether in a new & creative way

Terms: Synthesize, Arrange, Blend, Create, Terms: Synthesize, Arrange, Blend, Create, Deduce, Devise, Organize, Plan, Present, Deduce, Devise, Organize, Plan, Present, Rearrange, Rewrite Rearrange, Rewrite

Examples: 1. Create a demonstration to show Examples: 1. Create a demonstration to show _____________. 2. Devise a method to teach others _____________. 2. Devise a method to teach others about _________________. about _________________.

The Whole Shebang!The Whole Shebang!

The Danger of HypnopediaThe Danger of Hypnopedia As great as it would be to simply download As great as it would be to simply download

information – “I know kung-fu!”, etc. – or information – “I know kung-fu!”, etc. – or learn it hypnopedically, we run the risk of learn it hypnopedically, we run the risk of sacrificing something greater, albeit more sacrificing something greater, albeit more ephemeralephemeral

So much of education is creative – is So much of education is creative – is communalcommunal, for that matter – that the simple , for that matter – that the simple input of knowledge can’t serve as an input of knowledge can’t serve as an adequate substituteadequate substitute

This doesn’t even begin to get into the bigger This doesn’t even begin to get into the bigger problems with such an approachproblems with such an approach What if someone changed your recording?What if someone changed your recording? What if you downloaded a corrupted file or What if you downloaded a corrupted file or

virus?virus?

The Reason for the ArgumentThe Reason for the Argument The reason the Choice vs. Destiny argument is The reason the Choice vs. Destiny argument is

worth having is because it speaks to something worth having is because it speaks to something largerlarger

Namely, the argument forces us to evaluate Namely, the argument forces us to evaluate just how we wish to go through life – not simply just how we wish to go through life – not simply whether we can decide what we do, but whether we can decide what we do, but whether we live while doing sowhether we live while doing so

The societies in The societies in The Matrix The Matrix and and Brave New Brave New WorldWorld may be predicated on human may be predicated on human contentment…but their form betrays their contentment…but their form betrays their functionfunction

After all…is it possible to be passively happy?After all…is it possible to be passively happy?

Now It’s Your Turn!Now It’s Your Turn!

Articulate your personal philosophy Articulate your personal philosophy regarding choice and destiny. regarding choice and destiny.

Here are some questions to help you Here are some questions to help you get started:get started: What is your “truth?” What is your “truth?” What is your proof?What is your proof? Which school’s arguments about choice Which school’s arguments about choice

dovetail most closely with your own, dovetail most closely with your own, and how do they compare?and how do they compare?

Which school do you absolutely Which school do you absolutely disbelieve, and why?disbelieve, and why?