Free Will

What is free will? This a question that philosophers have asked for centuries.  The definition of free will ultimately comes down to one's view of the Macro.  The Macro is the view of one's control of the future, and more importantly whether we have control or not. In philosophy, there are three main views on free will.  The first is strict determinism, which states that free will is an illusion and the future is already determined.  According to the SD's point of view, one has no control over their own future because everything is a product of the material world.  The second is strict indeterminism, which states that free will is personal choice.  According to the SID's point of view, the future is made by your personal choices and everything is purely subjective and random.  The third is compatibilism, which states that free will is the act of manipulating a determined future.  The Comp's point of view follows the SD's closely, the only difference being that by realizing the determined future, one may be able to avoid certain things.    

 

Identity

Philosophers have always thought about and disputed over true identity.  Over the years, philosophers have sided themselves along three main identity criterions.  There is the single-soul hypothesis, which states that true identity lies with an immaterial soul.  The SSH follows a Mentalist point of view, believing that every being has physical and non-physical properties.  According to the SSH, you are where your soul goes.  Next is the psychological criterion, which states that true identity lies with one's mental states.  Those who follow the PC believe that the brain holds everything that makes up one's personality, including memories and thoughts.  According to the PC, you are where your brain and mental states go.  Finally, there is the bodily criterion, which states that true identity lies with one's physical properties.  Those who follow the BC believe that everything about identity comes down to the mere physical world, thus there is no spooky stuff. The BC follows a Materialist point of view, pointing out that the only true things are those things that can be touched and proven.