Why would we have developed the illusion of free will?

[satyesu]

I can see how things like curiosity would be advantageous. We're so much more accomplished than other species. We're exploring space and we have things like physics that allow us to understand the Universe. Why would the illusion of control even exist? What is the purpose of being able to question our nature benefit us in any way? How and why would the Universe even be if not by separate consciousnesses?

[Treatid]

A sufficiently complex feedback system within a larger system might include feedback on its own status.

Both the complex feedback system and the larger system can be deterministic.

The smaller, complex feedback system isn't the larger system - it is simply a part of that larger system. While the larger system is deterministic (and therefore the smaller system is also deterministic)... that knowledge isn't inherently part of the smaller system.

The smaller system perceives itself as semi-independent of the larger system (and any other smaller complex feedback systems within the larger system). Despite being intimately connected to the rest of the system... the smaller feedback system can perceive a boundary between itself and the rest of the system... a boundary that doesn't exist as anything except a perception.

So... things that don't exist as an absolute - can nevertheless be perceived as existing. It is possible for a complex feedback system to perceive freewill where none exists.

Is it inevitable that such a perception should arise?

We can imagine trivial feedback systems that, as far as we can tell, are not sufficiently complex to be considered sentient. So at one extreme - the perception of free-will isn't necessary.

Further along the scale - the feedback system is sufficiently complex that there is feedback on the feedback. Perhaps this is consciousness at an appropriate level of abstraction. A system that modifies itself through self examination must have some determination in how that modification happens (feedback isn't random - it is a definite process).

A system that reflects upon itself in a sufficiently complex way must, necessarily, be conscious. Be aware of that top level feedback process and perceive that the top level feedback appears largely independent of (say) some other complex feedback system.

It is the process of feedback that gives rise to the perception of consciousness (and free will). The deterministic nature of the system is irrelevant - provided that the system permits sufficiently complex feedback.

As such - it doesn't matter whether the larger system is deterministic or not. The perception of free-will is the product of feedback, and independent of the deterministic (or otherwise) nature of the system.

[Hypafix]

If I may attempt to summarize your response Treatid, are you saying that having the perception of free will is a product of conscious existence within the universe?

[Belinda]

The notion of free will is caused by the power of superstition and religious myths to influence our thoughts and beliefs. Unless 'God' had conferred free will upon men they would be unable to choose to go to Heaven or to Hell after they die, according to the superstitious myth.

Until the notion of free will was codified by monotheistic religious authorities people sometimes believed that gods controlled them as individuals and also human affairs generally, and also natural events such as weather.

[AB1OB]

I see our reality as the expansion aspect of a cyclical system. Expansion will inevitably lead to Transition, and Transition will lead to Contraction, which completes the cycle and leads back to expansion.

There is a symmetry to this system because it can be seen as expanded equilibrium.

There is an interchangeability as follows:

Equilibrium = Expanded equilibrium = Symmetrical reality = (Positive reality + Negative reality) = Equilibrium

The interchangeability of alternative states of reality creates choice.

Choice is the basis of free-will. If an entity has a choice, there is free will.

Equilibrium has a choice of continuing to recreate itself as equilibrium or failing to recreate equilibrium.

If equilibrium fails, then there is no choice other than to create a symmetry.

The type of symmetry is unlimited as long as positive reality balances with negative reality.

Humans can be understood as being a part of the "positive reality" creating the appearance of unlimited choice (A.K.A. "Free will").

_________________________________________________________________________

I see the cycle of expansion as the initiation of a reality wave which flows through the cycle. There is no free will, no choice, to stop the cycle. Furthermore, the way I see it, Transition and Contraction pathways are strictly defined, which suppresses choice. Therefore, choice/free will is limited to the Expansion based reality. Free will/choice is only available to alter the pathway through Expansion.

The rest of this explanation refers to my perspective of "pathways through Expansion";

Initially, Expansion starts as a saturation. Each proton is stacked right next to another proton. There is no choice available because there is no space available. There is a source flow of protons being concentrated towards a point of intercepting flows of Contraction.

Remember Contraction offers no choices and this concentration is a result of completion of Contraction. Protons have no choices but to flow within Contraction and be concentrated. At the point of concentration, the exact conditions provide a limited choice. The choice is obliteration or re-entering Expansion.

Re-entering Expansion from concentration creates another limitation on choice. Lateral movement is not possible (each proton has another proton lined up next to it). Only radial motion, away from the source of concentration is possible (spherical expansion of radials). (The radial motion of our one-way Time.)

Since radials spread out, as they extend from the spherical center, Space develops between the radials. This Space allows for relative actions to occur between radii components. In other words, each proton is stuck in Time (there is no available choice but to proceed at the rate of radial expansion through time). But there is freedom of motion laterally through this emergent Space, which creates choice for relative action to develop.

If you are following my description, you should conclude that Reality is a high speed constant flow of radial expansion. Within this unchangeable flow, the relative pathways of the embedded components are free to interact within the limits of their relativity.

___________________________________________________________________________

Speaking about "limits of relativity" is the notion of varying levels of consciousness.

Proton consciousness would be a very basic consciousness. It has a 3 dimensional internal relativity that makes it exist: 1-Potential, 2-Spin, 3-Motion. These are not open for choice, they are prerequisites for the proton to exist.

The only choice the proton consciousness has is within space. It has free will/choice of which pathway through Expansion it will take, when all external forces are equal.

Some may object to my saying that the proton is making a choice of which possible path to choose...they may feel that this is just "probabilities" not really a choice. But I say that this choice of quantum position is the fractal of consciousness, from which higher levels of consciousness evolve.

The quantum nature of the reality of expansion occurs via reality waves expanding through space-time. A wave is undergoing continual recreation. Change occurs when recreation fails to be perfect. A proton is recreating itself along a radial of expansion and has freedom (when all external forces are being equal) for several alternate quantum positions (pathways). Which position "chosen" is not a result of conscious thought. It is the result of probability influencing where the proton is recreated. This outcome position has now become a real position within expansion and influences the pathway options available towards further expansion.

Higher levels of consciousness, have learned how to intentionally fail to recreate a specific relativity. In other words, higher levels of consciousness become the external forces that influence proton positions (or more complex fields made of protons).

Example; A muscle is at rest. Failure to recreate yourself through time in the same state causes you to recreate yourself with a change in muscle contraction. Failure to continue the recreation of a contracted muscle results in recreation change of relaxed muscle, which is then re-created until another intentional failure to recreate that same state.

[Sacrontine]

What illusion is that? Never did see it.

[Theophane]

The notion of free will is caused by the power of superstition and religious myths to influence our thoughts and beliefs. Unless 'God' had conferred free will upon men they would be unable to choose to go to Heaven or to Hell after they die, according to the superstitious myth.

Until the notion of free will was codified by monotheistic religious authorities people sometimes believed that gods controlled them as individuals and also human affairs generally, and also natural events such as weather.

Our will is free, but not absolutely free. Our ability to choose is limited by what we can know and experience at any given time.

[Belinda]

But, Theophane, it is a known scientific fact that the feeling that we choose and are conscious of our reasons for a specific choice is rationalisation after the action.

There is a lot of ethical and ontological power in the Christian myth, but Free Will is a bygone. Today , someone writing in The Guardian newspaper suggests that the theme of this topical story of the Incarnation is God's voluntarily relinquishing some of His power to mankind. This aspect of the great Incarnation myth is justified if only it as accepted as a narrative for simplifiying our human duty to a good God, however we conceive Him, to take responsibility for ourselves as humans.

[Theophane]

There is a lot of ethical and ontological power in the Christian myth, but Free Will is a bygone.

Do you prefer to view human beings as witless automatons? Am I not a thinking, conscious entity?

[AB1OB]

There is a lot of ethical and ontological power in the Christian myth, but Free Will is a bygone.

Do you prefer to view human beings as witless automatons? Am I not a thinking, conscious entity?

What is a "thinking conscious entity"? A focal point of perspective.

From where does this perspective arise? Signals arriving from many past incidents at our focal point of perspective, which is a continuum through time.

You are already headed for the future before you can even visualize the actual present.

Therefore free-will is limited to an after the fact attempt, to change your trajectory of direction, towards future actions.

Free-will is directly related to your subjectivity. Two people that have lived the same life, put into the same situation, would presumably make the same choice. So free will is based on your subjective reality.

Spiritually, if you are subjectively selfish, you will be making "egocentric choices".

If you are subjectively altruistic, you will be making "empathetic choices".

Some religions look at this as "good/evil".

So most of our free-will, is actually based on shaping our subjectivity, which in turn, leads to different outcomes.

-- Updated December 20th, 2014, 1:07 pm to add the following --

It is what it is but you are what you think you are.

[Belinda]

There is a lot of ethical and ontological power in the Christian myth, but Free Will is a bygone.

Do you prefer to view human beings as witless automatons? Am I not a thinking, conscious entity?

You raise the proper objection.

We are capable of freedom in proportion as we can resist unreflecting and unkind responses to challenges.

[ScottieX]

A process that can think about it's own thinking (which one would want so one could improve one's own thought processes) would seem to automatically have a sort of implied view on free will.

[Theophane]

Thank you, ScottieX! That's what I was trying to get across.

[Misty]

I can see how things like curiosity would be advantageous. We're so much more accomplished than other species. We're exploring space and we have things like physics that allow us to understand the Universe. Why would the illusion of control even exist? What is the purpose of being able to question our nature benefit us in any way? How and why would the Universe even be if not by separate consciousnesses?

"Why would we have developed the illusion of free will?"

Humans have 'will' that makes them separate from each other. Human 'will' abides in a world/universe that imposes limitations. When people speak if free will, I am inclined to think of it as 'will' apart from a fellow human, as opposed to the universe. Humans should be able to be "free" of the 'will' of another human being imposed upon him/her. Of course, children will endure caregivers 'will' imposed upon them until they are emancipated physically and mentally. The universe imposes its predetermined function on all life, therefore, humans do not have "freewill." Humans imposing personal or government will on other humans is where the questions of "free" will comes in. Humans wan their will to be free of fellow human 'wills.'

[LogicReasonEvidence]

Why would the illusion of control even exist? Well one hypothesis I've heard is because we would suffer too much if we seemed to be mere 'passengers' inside the vehicle of our (our?) bodies so we evolved a sense of control to make us believe very strongly that someone is driving the vehicle: us! I must admit it's very hard to accept that free will is an illusion but logically it seems unlikely, at least in the conventional sense.