Quote:Original post by alvaroQuote:Original post by AngleWyrm
This brings up an interesting point: What exactly is a free choice? Is selecting the best option a free choice, or is it simply an optimized relationship to the environment? Is choosing randomly from a probability distribution of personal biases over the options a free choice?
We have a pretty hardwired dualistic view of the world, where all objects obey the laws of physics, but some seem to have "souls", or "behaviour". This gives us an illusion of free will that probably has nothing to do with how the world really works, but it's a powerful metaphor that helps us understand and predict events around us. I don't think this illusion has to necessarily be present in an agent to be able to call it intelligent. It's just a byproduct of the way we are implemented.
No one really knows what free choice is. However alvaro is what a philosopher would call a Hard Determinist. Which may or may not be a correct stance but in my opinion is not very likely. Although I doubt he would agree with the other baggage a typical hard determinist would carry - such as a lack of a belief in the notion of moral responsibility.