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Writing Group / Re: Writing Prompts!
« on: August 18, 2008, 03:13:34 PM »
Writing about religion...
This is not too far away from many things done/researched today, so hope it qualifies.
By the thought that all our actions are the result of 2 major factors each decided into smaller factors the believers are trying in all aspects of their lives to understand those two factors.
1: Genetics - We are the genetic result of the merging of to sets of genes. These genes determine, amongst other things, temperament, moods and other psychological mechanisms.
2: Experience - Our past experience shape our reactions and perceptions today.
(3: The belief that these two factors are the sole factors deciding our reaction patterns and psychological patterns excludes free will)
It started out merely as a philosophical debate but the development in areas such as mathematics and psychology gave way to some advanced computational models describing human behavior. The idea that our actions could be quantified and described mathematically combined with increased understanding of the mechanics of genetics led to the belief that all our future could be computed based on our genes and all previous experiences.
If we get maimed by dogs as a child we will be afraid of dogs later in life. If we are raised in a certain way, we will act accordingly later in life. So understanding the previous experiences and the way they are weighed in the development of the human psyche we can determine future reaction patterns. When we can predict future reaction patterns, how can free will exist ? It cannot.
This has lead to two different 'ways' within the religion of determinism.
1: The followers of this 'way' - 'the way of enlightenment' seek to understand themselves fully. To truly comprehend and understand each and every one of their actions in the light of past events. When then experience an emotion, they examine it and tries to determine where it came from and what past experiences has led to the feeling and the reactions in the first place. Only by truly knowing oneself, knowing why one act as one does will we be free. Only by truly knowing our past, and thus truly understanding the road we will travel in the future, will we be free to experience the way there. Absolved from the choices of the future by already knowing the outcomes of them we can partake in the enlightenment the journey will bring us.
2: These followers are perhaps not as much followers as they are opposition against Determinism. They have devoted their life and belief to randomness. The simple doctrine is that when true randomness is found it will prove that there is free will. If it cannot be predicted, there must be something else determining the outcome, and that is free will. Although they are opposite to Determinism, many of the same mechanics are involved in both. On their search for Random they have to find a way to see if something is Random or not, and in tat process all things not Random will fall into the realm of Determinism. Even though they use the same methods in their search for Random most of the time of these followers is spent on the search for Random in it's most pure form. A base Random.
This is a short description, but both can naturally be elaborated. As a religion this is fairly academic without wars or violence. the battlefield is the labs, the philosophical debates and the computer models.
This is not too far away from many things done/researched today, so hope it qualifies.
By the thought that all our actions are the result of 2 major factors each decided into smaller factors the believers are trying in all aspects of their lives to understand those two factors.
1: Genetics - We are the genetic result of the merging of to sets of genes. These genes determine, amongst other things, temperament, moods and other psychological mechanisms.
2: Experience - Our past experience shape our reactions and perceptions today.
(3: The belief that these two factors are the sole factors deciding our reaction patterns and psychological patterns excludes free will)
It started out merely as a philosophical debate but the development in areas such as mathematics and psychology gave way to some advanced computational models describing human behavior. The idea that our actions could be quantified and described mathematically combined with increased understanding of the mechanics of genetics led to the belief that all our future could be computed based on our genes and all previous experiences.
If we get maimed by dogs as a child we will be afraid of dogs later in life. If we are raised in a certain way, we will act accordingly later in life. So understanding the previous experiences and the way they are weighed in the development of the human psyche we can determine future reaction patterns. When we can predict future reaction patterns, how can free will exist ? It cannot.
This has lead to two different 'ways' within the religion of determinism.
1: The followers of this 'way' - 'the way of enlightenment' seek to understand themselves fully. To truly comprehend and understand each and every one of their actions in the light of past events. When then experience an emotion, they examine it and tries to determine where it came from and what past experiences has led to the feeling and the reactions in the first place. Only by truly knowing oneself, knowing why one act as one does will we be free. Only by truly knowing our past, and thus truly understanding the road we will travel in the future, will we be free to experience the way there. Absolved from the choices of the future by already knowing the outcomes of them we can partake in the enlightenment the journey will bring us.
2: These followers are perhaps not as much followers as they are opposition against Determinism. They have devoted their life and belief to randomness. The simple doctrine is that when true randomness is found it will prove that there is free will. If it cannot be predicted, there must be something else determining the outcome, and that is free will. Although they are opposite to Determinism, many of the same mechanics are involved in both. On their search for Random they have to find a way to see if something is Random or not, and in tat process all things not Random will fall into the realm of Determinism. Even though they use the same methods in their search for Random most of the time of these followers is spent on the search for Random in it's most pure form. A base Random.
This is a short description, but both can naturally be elaborated. As a religion this is fairly academic without wars or violence. the battlefield is the labs, the philosophical debates and the computer models.
