BigBallinStalin wrote:Sure, things cause other things (much of which we can't measure). How does that sync with "there is no free will"?
For social phenomena, I mostly rely on economic theory, which is a positive science that deals with cause-and-effect relationships. Epistemological problems are dealt with an adherence to praxeology (see: Ludwig von Mises) and from a smattering of arguments by Wittgenstein and the pragmatists.
If things cause other things what precisely are the 'things' that cause our freewill to cause our neurons to fire when we 'consciously' exercise it?And why does the firing of said neurons appear to precede our awareness of freely choosing,as neuroscience has discovered?
We know we subconsciously regulate our bodily functions regularly,as in the production of new cells,or insulin,or sweating.Is there any evidence that 'choosing' to drink coffee is any different?How external factors cause subconscious responses is largely a mystery but there seems to at least be more evidence for them occurring than conscious ones.