John Searle - Reflections on Free Will

A few weeks ago we saw the Merovingian from The Matrix introduce the problem of determinism: causality governs everything in the universe, and since we are a part of the universe, it follows that it controls us too; hence, there is no such thing as freedom of the will.

In this lecture given at Google, and in his characteristic style, philosopher John Searle wrestles with the problem of free will and determinism. Searle argues that our conception of ourselves and the kinds of entities we are must be made consistent with everything we know about the nature of the universe as revealed to us by the scientific outlook. This attempt at a theoretically consistent framework presents some very intriguing philosophical puzzles, with consequences most, including Searle himself, would find unsettling and uncomfortable.

I love how Searle wants to teach French to the French :)
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