| badgenome said: So the difference is that humans can engage in absolutely unethical behavior, or behavior that is against their own interests of comfort or even survival, for the sake of a higher ideal. Maybe it's because, as smart as it is, an ape can't even imagine a higher ideal, but then, I should think that a very high, human level of intelligence would be a prerequisite for having free will. Although I suppose the counterargument can be made that the satisfaction an ascetic gains from adopting a life of celibacy trumps physical pleasure for him, and therefore it isn't actually against their interests in terms of comfort, it's still a remarkable choice, and one that I think supports the idea of man having free will. |
I believe that humans don't do this for the sake of said higher ideal, but rather for their self interest. Helping others just so happens to be in one's self interest is all. I agree with the view in the latter half of the paragraph.
I think I understand now your definition of "free will", and I see what you mean.
The free will in the argument vs. determinism isn't the same as the one here, the two aren't mutually exclusive either.
