> David Prince wrote:
> Individuals need to change. How do you change a child's behavior?
Do you
> tell him to change and assume that he/she can by mere choice? Or do
you
> train him to change? Do you assume resposibility for changing a
child? Now,
> after 18 years of training by society, do you believe that this
same child
> could just change his/her behavior instantly? Why is it suddenly
his/her
> responsibility?
David Lind writes: Hmmmm.....in my world - there's no "suddenly"
about
it. Parents (in an ideal world) spend 18 years
helping/guiding/training/(pick a word) their child to be responsible.
Society has determined that children are not fully developed in their
ability to make responsible choices, so we entrust that
responsibility
upon the parents. Parenst are expected to bring their kids 'up to
speed.' At 18, society says "Congratulations! You're ready to
solo!"
And from that point on, the child is responsible for their choices.
To have responsibility "suddenly" thrustupon them - children would
have to live in a totally responsibility free zone until they were 18
and then be thrust into "the real world"
> David Prince WROTE:
> If I am accountable for my actions, that means that I must be
willing to
> assume consequences for them. Extreme case: I am crippled, I must
assume
> accountability for my being crippled and expect no different
treatment.
David Lind writes: That would make sense if being crippled were an
action. It's not. Now, if you crippled yourself, then you are
accountable for doing that. You have to live your life with that
disability.
> David Prince writes:
>
I think I can show that there is
> no such thing as total free will (I can define behaviors that you
cannot do,
> no matter how much you want.)
>
David Lind writes: How does that show there is no such thing as free
will? Free will isn't the same as the ability to do anything
desired.
I can want to fly. The fact that my body (well, my physical one at
least) isn't designed for flight doesn't mean I don't have free will.
For me, free will falls into the picture when we consider things that
are POSSIBLE to do. Am I going to go running today? Being a
believer
in Free will - I believe that I have the choice to go or not to go.
There are factors that affect my decision (being out of shape,
helping
to raise a child, deadlines, etc) - but when I look at those factors
-
most of them are the result of OTHER choices I have made in the past.
>
>
> DAVE WROTE:
> Obviously the idea that one has free will is part of the
environment that
> shapes a persons behavior. As such, it is a positive influence on
behavior.
> If I think that there is absolutely nothing I can do about my
situation,
> then I get depressed. However, if people tell me that I can do
better, that
> I am empowered, it helps me. So a middle way might be a good
approach.
>
David Lind Writes: Are you looking for an answer based upon what
seems the fairest? Or what seems the most attractive? A different
person given the same info (you have no choice) can find that
extremely free-ing- "Wow! No more decisions!" or vice versa. It
seems that the answer should be in what explains things the best, not
that which we like the best or makes us more comfortable.
Shal
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