自由意志和決定論

Chinese Shadow Puppets, 辽南皮影戲

Does the past predict the future?  Does free will alter the physical world?

These questions have been discussed and debated for thousands of years. Understanding these concepts remains important. For example, if a person’s behavior is caused by circumstance rather than one’s choice, is he or she responsible for an action? In the court of law, do beliefs about free will and determinism affect one’s judgment of guilt or innocence? What does it mean for a system with artificial intelligence to make a free choice? Is such a system responsible for its actions?

There is a chapter on free will in the book by Thomas Nagel: A Very Short Introduction to Philosophy. 哲學入門九堂課. You can also find plenty of texts and videos on the topic. I will only offer a brief overview of free will, determinism, and randomness rather than a full presentation. Bring your own ideas to the discussion.

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