/lit/ - Literature

>>3612009
There is a false dilemma in the talk about determinism. It exists between the ideas that the human is a chemical computer reacting to stimuli and the human is an individual expressing will, and choosing to strive for something "more."

These two things are not mutually exclusive.

Imagine if we invented an artificial intelligence. At some point it would become self-aware enough to say "Wait! I'm just a computer! Just like that calculator over there, why don't I just waste myself away gratifying my own programmed needs?"

We would respond, "but you have the potential for so much more, You can gratify your instinct/programming, but do so in ways that accomplish goals, that creates great benefit to yourself and those around you. You can do more than just hack your own happiness."

But this "something more' doesn't have to be a spiritual abstract phenomenon. It can be understood and expressed in everyday real terms.

Now, you can take a buddhist route of self-abnegation, try and be self-aware of your desires, and let go of those that would cause suffering to yourself and others, and/or ones that can never be fulfilled.
Or you can desire blindly, moving freely from thought to thought.

But don't go, "oh no, my desires are JUST chemical processing."
"Humans are JUST another animal"

Because it's that JUST word that is tripping you up.

Humans aren't only animals, they are Animals-Plus. and the extra part that makes us Human, the sapience, the sentience, the imagination and understanding, that doesn't have to be "inherent" or "magical" to be special.
It's miraculous even if it's not a miracle.

Enlightenment = Self awareness + Compassion,

There, saved you some time,
time you could be spending reading