Re: free will - randomness

Danny Yee (danny@STAFF.CS.SU.OZ.AU)
Thu, 26 May 1994 17:06:39 +1000

> Bob Graber has just posted a comment regarding the topic of modern physics
> in support of his argument for determinism.
>
> Bob, I hate to disagree with you; but, to the best of my understanding
> contemporary quantum method proposes that something which seems to be
> free choice and even a form of consciousness permeates the very primal
> essence of our material universe . . . would you mind terribly being
> a bit more specific about the details of the determination argument from
> physics that you are referencing?

Yes!!

and

No!!!



Yes, quantum mechanics does imply inherent randomness in the universe.

No, this has nothing to do with consciousness or free choice.


(It's not enough to "think consciousness might have something to do
with quantum mechanics". That's about as useful as thinking quantum
mechanics might have something to do with kinship structures. There
is absolutely no reason to expect quantum mechanics to be any more
relevant to neurobiology than it is to the study of fluid turbulence
or metamorphic rocks.)

Danny Yee.