Philosophy classroom: Philosophy class #3, Thursday, 2-4pm

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Philosophy in Fandom is a little different than in other places. We have access to knowledge of things that most people thing are impossible. Amongst various other things, we have at this school psychics who can predict the future in a variety of ways, people *from* the future - some thousands of years ahead, some just a few - and there are even rumours of a genuine Heavenly angel around the place.

This week we're going to follow on from Descartes' attempt to prove the existence of God, to look at the debate of determinism vs. free will. Over the next couple of weeks we'll be exploring different philosopher's standpoints on the issue, and this topic will become your first assignment. For now, however, I want you to think of it from a Fandom point of view.

If a psychic can predict your future, is that future predetermined? To put it another way, do you have a choice in your actions, a genuine free will, or are you merely playing out a script, written by a more powerful being? Are your choices genuine choices, or are they dictated by your personality, your life experiences, and the circumstance you find yourself in?

Comments

[shane-mcc.livejournal.com]

"I guess a lot of the choices I make... are dictated by my life and my personality. I think that's how everybody makes their choices," Shane says, lifting her shoulder in a slight shrug. "If someone had to look at a situation I was in and make a choice for me... they probably wouldn't think about how I would do things. They'd think about how they would do things, how they want their life to be, go by their own experiences."

[http://users.livejournal.com/sydney_bristow_/]

Sydney walks in and takes a seat

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"Sydney?" Tara asks. "Would you like to offer an opinion?"

[dorky-broots.livejournal.com]

"I think that the future is undecided until it is has occured."

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"If that's true, how can a psychic predict it? We have several here in Fandom who could prove to you that they can."

[dorky-broots.livejournal.com]

Broots chewed on his lip. "I suppose they just see on possibility. But I can always choose to do something different and the prediction won't come true."