Is there such thing as freedom or are we mere puppets on strings? In a purely deterministic, uncaring universe, where the laws of physics are applicable to all, freedom as we define it is impossible. In a universe where a supreme, all-knowing, all-powerful God exists, freedom is also equally impossible. Well, the more accurate term to use here is freewill. Freewill can be defined as the ability to choose without intimidation or compelling force. Freewill presupposes deliberation. Hence, a person with freewill can be fully held responsible for his or her actions. It is on the idea of freewill on which the judicial system, particularly criminal law hinges. How can you punish someone if he or she does not have the ability to contemplate the consequence of his or her actions? Hence, insanity is a mitigating circumstance when it comes to criminal jurisprudence. However, even insane persons still have some degree of contemplation.
The universe, as we know it, is governed by the laws of physics. The laws of physics are applicable to everything that exists – from the smallest particles to the grandest galaxies. The laws of physics are deterministic. This means that for every effect, there is a traceable series of causes. For instance, if you are familiar with playing billiards, you will notice that the path of a ball can be guided depending on the force, angle and direction of the pole hitting that particular ball. The level, surface contour and stability of the billiard table are also determining factors. The same deterministic principles also apply in the way our brain works. Our consciousness, thought patterns and sense of identity are all determined by the biochemical and electrical reactions that are occurring in our brains. If you change, any of these parameters, the brain processes also change. This can readily be observed in people who take mind-altering drugs or people that suffer from brain injuries.
On the other hand, the concept of an all-knowing, all-powerful God is also incompatible with freewill. For a God to be all-knowing, everything must be predestined. Otherwise, God will not know in advance. Ironically, the concept of God and a purely deterministic universe are logically agreeable with each other. In order for God to know everything from beginning to end, it would require everything to be pre-programmed and scripted as if God would simply watch a film that he directed and written.
If you ask me if I personally believe in freewill, my answer is yes. This is because I do not believe in a deterministic universe that is purely governed by the laws of physics or by a supreme God. I believe in a probabilistic universe – a universe where probability or chance exists. The theory that supports this idea is the Chaos Theory, which I think deserves a separate blog post.
Jan 15, 2008
Beyond Freedom and Responsibility
Nov 6, 2007
Moments of Weakness
Perhaps the feeling is comparable to the "phantom limb" phenomenon felt by amputees. However, there is a big difference. There was actually nothing amputated from me except for my former delusions. Nonetheless, I cannot deny the emptiness that I feel. Losing faith is comparable to losing a love one. This feeling is similar to the grief that I felt when my mother died. This feeling of grief was reinforced when I recently visited my mother's tomb. There are moments between sleep and waking that I struggle to come to terms with reality. I try to call God only to realize that he is not there. Well, he was never there anyway. Unlike my mother, God never embraced me, talked to me, or sang me lullaby to put me to sleep. God never got worried about me whenever I get sick. He never got his hands dirty washing my clothes. God never bought me toys. God never went to the "sari-sari" store (a common neighborhood mini-grocery store here in the Philippines) just to beg the owner to lend him canned sardines and a kilo of rice so that my siblings and I could eat our dinner. However, my mother, with all her limitations, did all these things and more. Hence, mother was more real to me than God ever was.
Am I angry with God for taking my mother away? Not by any means! How can an imaginary god has anything to do with my mother's death? How can this supposedly omni-benevolent deity allowed by mother to suffer lingering pain all those years and suddenly end her life? I am totally insulted whenever somebody would say that that there was a divine purpose for the suffering that my mother endured. A god that who allows any type of suffering is demented and can be psychologically diagnosed as sadistic. It seems to me that the Christian God enjoys the suffering of humans. He even prepared hell for the purpose of torture. On the other hand, deity who submits himself to be tortured and executed can be perceived as masochistic. I simply find it absurd that Christians worship a sadomasochistic deity. A deity such as this is more fit to the lunatic asylum.
Although it has been more than a decade since my mother died, there are still moments that I feel grief-stricken. I miss my mother so much. If there is a heaven, I surely would wish that she is there. However, I do not think heaven does exist for the same reason that I do not think that God exists. The existence of God is as improbable as the existence of the Invisible Pink Unicorn. The internal contradictions about the concept of God are enough proofs that he is just a product of imagination. Although I recognize the merits of religion in providing hope for many people, this hope is meaningless simply because it is false.
Oct 29, 2007
Rationalizing Religion
If religion, in general, is not founded on truth, then, why is it widely popular? All cultures throughout human generations, from prehistory until today practice one form of religion or another. Does this necessarily entail that there is indeed something that exists that can be considered as divine or at least mystical? Can the widespread belief in the supernatural be considered as direct proof of the existence of the supernatural? Is there really something more than what we can scientifically perceive, measure and speculate? Is there really a spiritual realm that is beyond the physical universe? Is is really true that the physical universe with all its laws, matter and energy is just a subset or subject of a bigger supernatural reality? Are the so-called miraculous and mystical experiences of some people can be considered as proofs of the direct interaction of the divine with us mere mortals? The simple logical answer to all of these questions is NO!
Although there are limits to our intellects and scientific inquiries, we can logically conclude that there is no such thing as supernatural or divine; well, this is at least in the sense of what the different religions claim. The proof for this assertion is actually very simple. Compare and contrast the beliefs and practices of the different religions in the world and you will realize that all of these are mutually contradictory if not totally antagonistic. Even within the same religious systems such as Christianity, there are many factions. How is it possible that contradictory beliefs be simultaneously true? if there is really divine revelation, then, the revelation should be universally applicable regardless of culture, language, ethnic background, time and geographical locations. If the physical laws of the universe are less important than the so-called divine laws, then, the divine laws should be more universally confirmed. There should be no room for any doubts. How come the Newtonian Laws of Motion are more universally applicable than the so-called laws of God found in different scriptures? If you examine these laws, you will realize that they are arbitrary,fallible and culturally-determined. Hence, they are debatable. Are we prepared to accept that the source of these so-called divine laws is also fallible? On the other hand, the basic laws of physics are not debatable. For instance, who in their right mind argue against the existence of gravity?
Generally speaking, religion is arbitrary. Chances are, the religion that you are practicing is imposed upon you by the society where you belong. Then, what could account for the widespread popularity of religion? Well, there are several scientific explanations for this phenomenon that are more logically convincing than the popular divine notion.
One common explanation got to do with the basic psychology of human beings. We, as conscious beings, are generally afraid to die. Death is a mystery to us. Most of us are uncomfortable with the thoughts that we would cease to exist. We are also equally uncomfortable with the thoughts that we will never see our love ones after death. For most people losing a love one is unbearable. Religion is appealing to people simply because of its general message of hope. Religion offers immortality and eternal bliss. However, this does not necessarily prove that the message of hope that religion bring is true. This simply means that religion answers a basic psychological need for comfort. Religion is our way of coping with the reality of death. Furthermore, as a psychological coping mechanism, religion offers a sense of universal justice. The concepts of heaven, hell, karma and reincarnation all fall within this category.
Another more reasonable explanation for the wide-spread popularity of religion is its arrogant but ignorant claim of the ability to explain everything from cosmology to human existence. Pre-scientific humans try to understand the world by means of religion. They resorted to creating legends, myths and deities to explain the forces and phenomena in nature.
Lastly, the popularity of religion can be explained in terms of sociological and political concepts, Religion is culturally-based and socially-enforced. Religion is a means whereby societies are formed and glued together. The ancient theocratic monarchies such as the Egyptian Pharaoh-centric governments are based on religion. Even today, there are nations that try to enforce the theocratic form of government, a government that is beyond question or accountability.
In the final analysis, religion is completely man-made. It has no divine or supernatural origin simply because it is arbitrary. In the beginning, man created God in his own image and not the other way around. The author of Genesis had got it all wrong!
