Life Without a Net
free will
Gut Bacteria Changes Our Brain
A new study by researchers at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario now suggests that gut bacteria may also influence behaviour and cognitive processes such as memory by exerting an effect on gene activity during brain development. Yet another example of how forces beyond our control shape our consciousness. And another example of how powerful the … Continue reading
Psychopaths, God, and Crime
Neuroscience is fast becoming a major thorn in the side of conservative religious politicians. Oh, they don’t admit it, but can you recall the last time theists changed their core theology for the sake of science? It’s a once a half-millenium or so occurrence. (It was 1979 when they finally got around to forgiving Galileo … Continue reading
Hell and Free Will
Every once in a while, I hit a brick wall trying to think about Christianity. The one I just hit has to do with one of the oldest problems theologians encountered. IF all that happens is the perfect and unalterable will of God, THEN God wishes people to suffer on earth, and then suffer for … Continue reading
Free Will and Christian Theology
I’ve written before that I don’t believe in free will. The article itself needs some cleaning up and clarification, which I’m sure I’ll get to when I have another eight hours a day to work on writing. I’m revisiting the idea today because memes seem to come in cycles, and I’m seeing a lot of … Continue reading
Monkey Morality and the Problem of Human Morality
The New York Times and the Times Online have published stories on primates and the origins of morality. They mention several primate experiments in which monkeys and chimps display prosocial behaviors such as helping others when there is no reward, sharing with companions, consoling companions, and remembering and repaying debts. These results add to a … Continue reading
Free Will, Determinism, and Choice
Matter moves from instability to stability. This is a basic physical truth. Sodium is highly unstable, and when it encounters moisture, it changes states rapidly to form more stable compounds. Rocks last a long time because their atoms have reached a level of high stability. Eggs fry because the added heat causes their atoms … Continue reading
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