wedrifid comments on Two straw men fighting - Less Wrong

2 Post author: JanetK 09 August 2010 08:53AM

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Comment author: sereboi 11 August 2010 05:40:52AM 0 points [-]

Any shown tangible research that an agent can manipulate and control with little effort their subconscious mind.

The presence of, would imply a host of things from complete agent responsibility in all areas of life.

The absence of it would not only imply severed liability but also complete meaninglessness.

Most branches of existential philosophy solve meaninglessness by stating one has control over their choices and so creating meaning, If one is stripped of that control than meaninglessness truly abounds.

Of course that is unless one believes in God.

Comment author: wedrifid 11 August 2010 05:51:20AM 1 point [-]

Any shown tangible research that an agent can manipulate and control with little effort their subconscious mind.

It's that "little effort" part that makes this an entirely different question. I don't use the term myself but "Free Will" is not always used to imply that things are easy.

Comment author: sereboi 11 August 2010 06:17:26AM 0 points [-]

The reason i said "little effort" is to clarify that one could possibly with much concentration have an effect on the subconscious, However the kind of effect im concerned with is the act of everyday choices that happen in nano seconds. I would welcome some data on "much effort" effects as well.

Comment author: wedrifid 11 August 2010 06:35:28AM 1 point [-]

I understand what you are trying to do, and suspect I even approximately agree with you regarding predictions about just how relevant our conscious thought is to our decision making. I just note that this is a different question to the one you were arguing against.

I would welcome some data on "much effort" effects as well.

People sign themselves up for rehab. Occasionally it works.