Do you believe we have free will, or is everything determined?

Questioning the nature of free will is insightful. I subscribe to a materialistic view, in which the universe is made up of physical constructs (matter and energy) interacting in ways so complex and varied that the result could be a hypothesis of free will. Although the processes in our brains and bodies are vastly complex beyond current comprehension, they do not necessitate a "soul" or supernatural explanation. The free will we feel we experience can be explained solely within the physical plane of existence, and in some ways that may also lead to the conclusion that if we WERE able to understand all the complexities, determinism would be correct. My respectful opinion on the matter. Draven the Respectful Atheist http://dravenwriter.blogspot.com

I respect your views Odin27. They are very different from my own. Consciousness and intelligence are relative and subjective terms. I believe that the human ability to think is just a more advanced and evolved model of a nervous system compared with other life we consider to be unconscious and unintelligent. I believe we make decisions based upon how the physical structures of our bodies are wired, which constantly change throughout our lives. There may also be the matter of quantum uncertainty that yields more of a probabilistic explanation when you dig deep enough. At the core, I believe everything exists within the physical plane. We simply do not understand all of it, and so we use spirituality and theism to assume away our ignorance. The majority of mankind has a need to find a greater meaning and/or a higher power. I just love life, my family and friends, and being an overall good person. Contentment comes from the reality of my life and what I can do to impact it and make it better. For theists or other spiritual people, contentment is not possible intrinsically, it must come from an external source. I wrote an article with a thought experiment that explains more fully my ideas through the analysis of "experiencing the color red." Here's the link: http://www.helium.com/tm/157134 Again, I respect your views, I just don't agree. Draven the Respectful Atheist http://dravenwriter.blogspot.com

How would we know, or is this question limited to the realm of belief? Draven the Respectful Atheist http://dravenwriter.blogspot.com

You say "He knows what will happen..." If it is known what is going to happen, then it is pre-determined. Therefore, according to your explanation, we really don't have choice.