Pierac wrote:Science has never found an "effect" anywhere in the universe for which they believe there was not first a "cause." I mean, how could it be otherwise?
Of course it could not be otherwise, by the very definition of the words! An "effect" is that which results from a "cause". The statement is true, yes, but trivially true.
So what is there anywhere, that can happen, or come into existence, display an effect, for which there was absolutely No Cause?
Nothing. But saying an effect must have a cause is a totally different matter from sayng that an
event must have a cause. How do we know that every event has a cause? Having said that, I must declare my belief that every event does indeed have a cause, but
we ourselves are the primary cause of decisions which we make. There may be other
influences on those decisions, but they are insufficient to cause them. Even very strong influences are insufficient. A criminal may point a gun at you and order you to give him your money ---- and you probably will in order to preserve your life. Yet the criminal's action didn't
cause you to give him your money. You could have chosen to refuse --- and many people have done exactly that in such circumstances.
As to your ice-cream cone example, it may be that the memory of the incident 35 years ago was caused by the sight of the ice-cream cone advertisment. However, a memory arising, is quite different from making a conscious choice.
Various parts and conditions in my body cause my heart to beat. I don't consciously choose to make my heart beat. But that is quite a different matter than my conscious choice to raise my hand. I do not affirm that the latter action was without cause. I, myself, my own conscious self, was the cause.
Oh, ain't free will fun!!!
