Professor of Religion James Walters, PhD, left, and guest speaker Philip Clayton, PhD, took questions from the audience after Claytons plenary address during the conference Whats with Free Will? Ethics and Religion after Neuroscience.
Arms crossed in defiance. So reacted many of the audience members when Philip Clayton, PhD, stated his conviction that humans dont have complete free will. Noting this instinctual response of his listeners, Clayton said:
Half of you just crossed your arms over your chest, which is a biological signal that you think Im wrong.
For community members attending the conference Whats with Free Will? Ethics and Religion after Neuroscience on May 19-20, the topics complexity was revealed in the range of viewpoints argued by Clayton, of Claremont School of Theology, and the events other plenary speaker, Thomas Oord, PhD, of Northwest Nazarene University, as well as numerous other scholars during the smaller sessions.
Professor of Religion James Walters, PhD, of Loma Linda Universitys School of Religion, where he also directs its Humanities Program, organized the conference to consider the vast topic of free will, particularly in light of some new neuroscience findings that may suggest free will is just an illusion. That idea runs contrary to centuries of much Christian teaching that argues for free will as both a cornerstone of theodicy and a sign of Gods love for his creatures a love that does not allow Him to compel. The topic of free will is also crucial to fields such as law and ethics.
Clayton began his presentation by asking the audience members to clap their hands or blink, noting that they did so of their own free choice. Some refused to do it, also indicated their free choice right?
By and large, we just know were free, dont we? he asked, before spending the next hour arguing that most people dont have genuine freedom but that people may possess a psychological and spiritual freedom that, for most intents and purposes, is genuine.
Beginning with new findings of neuroscience and then discussing the increasing complexity of living organisms, from single-celled creatures to the great apes to humans, Clayton explained how both complexity and unpredictability increase, along with the ability to learn new behaviors.
But does that equal genuine free will? He argued no: humans are conditioned and bound by genetics, the workings of the brain, experience and education, to name a few to make the choices they do.
Was Nobel Laureate Francis Crick right? Are we nothing but a pack of neurons?
No, argued Clayton. He suggested a way to rise above pure determinism, via an asymptotic (for the mathematically inclined) or quasi type of freedom. He said that though humans cannot truly break free of every influence over them, according to scientific findings, they can choose a self-identity in which looking back and looking forward they own responsibility for their actions even if they werent taken freely.
In other words, humans transcend their lack of choice by creating personhood. And this allows humans to come into communion with what philosophy calls the ground of our being, which Clayton believes to be God. Having a relationship with Him.
This, Clayton said, is the answer we give to the universe.
Audience members heard a different perspective from Oord the next day. He opened his talk by asking the audience to imagine explaining the human experience via email to a being from a different galaxy.
Would free will be something to include that email? He argued yes of a limited variety. Despite what were told as children, we cannot actually be anything we want when we grow up. A person with no coordination cannot play the game like their favorite professional athlete, for example, he said. A blind person cannot choose to see.
But in general starting with what he called the most obvious reason Oord argued that our actions reveal our basic belief in freedom. He noted that if someone is punched, he or she will blame the aggressor.
Free will, Oord said, helps people make sense of other people and is necessary for the societal and religious concept of moral responsibility. Other items on his list of nine reasons we should affirm freedom included:
It shows us that our lives matter. It explains the desire to reject the old and embrace the new (change ones ways). It is most compatible to believing in a God who loves us. It explains our desire to learn.
This is an argument many would agree with. But Oord declared another, more controversial tenet: God, too, is limited.
Yes, Oord said: by the very nature of Gods being love He cannot act outside the desire for creaturely well-being.
This begs the question of why He doesnt then prevent suffering, Oord said.
God cannot prevent evil unilaterally, Oord said, backing up the statement by pointing to Bible verses that state limitations on Gods behavior. For example, 2 Timothy 2:13 says God cannot be unfaithful to his nature. Hebrews 6:18, among other verses, states God cannot lie.
But unable to stop wickedness? Part of His nature that Oord argued God cannot deny is to give life and give autonomy with it. And as an open theist, Oord believes God does not know the future and could not predict whether that freedom would mean creatures choosing sin and evil.
Following Oords presentation, a panel of some of the conferences scholars responded.
They were Kendal Boyd, PhD, MA, associate professor in LLU School of Behavioral Health; Calvin Thomsen, PhD, assistant professor in LLU School of Religion; Fritz Guy, PhD, author and research professor of philosophical theology at La Sierra University; David Larson, PhD, DMin, professor in LLU School of Religion; Richard Rice, PhD, professor in LLU School of Religion; Marlene Ferreras, MFT, doctoral student at Claremont School of Theology and associate professor of practical theology at La Sierra University; James Walters; Gerald Winslow, PhD, director of LLU Center for Christian Bioethics; Zane Yi, PhD, assistant professor at LLU School of Religion; Charles Scriven, PhD, author, pastor, former educator and chair of the Adventist Forum board; and Mark Ard, MD, MA, psychiatry resident at Loma Linda University Health. Most of them are members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which is the parent organization of Loma Linda University Health.
On the whole, Oords concept of human free will seemed to appeal more to most members of the panel than did Claytons. But there was some disagreement from the panel about Oords argument that Gods will is not completely free.
Winslow, for example, expressed discomfort with the idea that God has to give creatures free will. Rather, he said, God risked much in the service of love.
For her part, Ferreras agreed that God cannot exert complete control over humanity, but she said that He is able to act in the world for the good through the church.
Clayton was tasked with making a closing statement. He started by noting that he and Oord, with their two different ways of seeing, both have the same commitment to belief in a God of love.
And to understand Gods love, the best way to do so is to put it in terms of the greatest amount of love that humans can conceive of, Clayton said, which he believes is revealed through studying the nature of Jesus.
Clayton referred to the apostle Pauls letter to the Philippians, chapter 2:6-8, which says of Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death even death on a cross!
Humans have the freedom to make a similar choice, Clayton said. A God who would voluntarily limit Godself so that we as puny human beings could rise, be free and enter into relationship with God, is the model for our own love, to voluntarily live in a sacrificial way for others.
Conference planner Walters said after the event, "I couldn't be more pleased with how the conference came together.The quality of the presentations was top-rate, the discussion significant and engaging, and the diversity of views broad. No one argued for a simple free will. A few argued that free will is more hope than reality, but the majority view was that humans possess genuine, but limited, free will."
Video of the conference can be viewed on the LLU School of Religion events video page.
Originally posted here:
Scholars debate free will in light of new neuroscience findings - Loma Linda University Health
- Microglias pruning function called into question - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Depression Alters Brain Circuits, Heightening Negative Perception - Neuroscience News - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- UNE Researchers Showcase Groundbreaking Work at Global Neuroscience Conference - University of New England - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Scientists discover "glue" that holds memory together in fascinating neuroscience breakthrough - PsyPost - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Systems neuroscience: combining theory and neurotechnology for a multiscale account of the brain - Nature.com - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Seaport Therapeutics adds another $225 million to coffers to embrace the golden age of neuroscience - STAT - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- ANRO Investors Have Opportunity to Join Alto Neuroscience, Inc. Fraud Investigation with the Schall Law Firm - Business Wire - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Youth Face Rising Risks of Harassment and Exploitation in the Metaverse - Neuroscience News - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Exercise During Chemotherapy Boosts Cognitive Function - Neuroscience News - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Removing Pre-Bed Screen Time Improves Toddler Sleep - Neuroscience News - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Bright Minds Biosciences and Firefly Neuroscience to Collaborate After the BREAKTHROUGH Study: A Phase 2 Trial of BMB-101 in Absence Epilepsy and... - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- How Visual Clutter Disrupts Information Flow in the Brain - Neuroscience News - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Menopausal Hormone Therapys Effects on Brain Health - Neuroscience News - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- After-hours movers: McDonald's, Starbucks, Seagate, Alto Neuroscience and more - StreetInsider.com - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Alto Neuroscience Reports Topline Results from a Phase 2b Trial Evaluating ALTO-100 as a Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder - StockTitan - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Cristina Savin and Tim Vogels discuss how AI has shaped their neuroscience research - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Should I stay (and eat) or should I go? How the brain balances hunger with competing drives - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- How neuroscience comics add KA-POW! to the field: Q&A with Kanaka Rajan - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Neuroscience research sheds light on how psilocybin alters spatial awareness - PsyPost - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Newly Discovered Protein Complex Shapes Synapses and Mental Health - Neuroscience News - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- The Neuroscience Behind Immersive Filmmaking - Raindance - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- What are mechanisms? Unpacking the term is key to progress in neuroscience - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Kentucky neuroscience doctor honored with national distinction - wnky.com - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Cell X Technologies and Aspen Neuroscience collaborate to address throughput and scalability in manufacturing automation to facilitate iPSC cell... - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Tracking Daily Habits Lasting Effects on the Brain - Neuroscience News - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Dak Prescott Was Silent After Hearing It From a Teammate. Its a Lesson in Emotional Intelligence (Backed By Neuroscience) - Inc. - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Helping Kids Fact-Check in the Age of Misinformation - Neuroscience News - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Study Links Calorie Restriction to Longevity - Neuroscience News - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- A Princeton Professor Walks into a Neuroscience Meeting -- Many Years Later It Leads to a Nobel Prize in Physics - TAPinto.net - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Try these neuroscience-backed tactics to train your brain to make better decisions - Fast Company - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Tips to navigate SfN as a trainee - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Neuroscience Says This 10-Minute Brain Exercise Will Make You Mentally Sharper and Keep You Focused All Day - Inc. - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Successful people do this 1 thing to be 'happier, more productive, less stressed' at work, says CEO and neuroscience researcher - CNBC - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Utilizing the Power of Neuroscience, Isabella Kensington May Have Cracked the Code Between Music and Healing - AOL - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Steve Jobs swore the 10-minute rule made him smarter. Modern neuroscience is discovering he was right - The Star Online - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Steve Jobs Swore the 10-Minute Rule Made Him Smarter. Modern Neuroscience Is Discovering He Was Right - Inc. - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Neural manifolds: Latest buzzword or pathway to understand the brain? - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Neuroscience Says 3 Brainy Habits Will Make You More Efficient, Productive, and Focused - Inc. - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Ethics, AI, and Neuroscience Converge at Mental Health, Brain, and Behavioral Science Research Day - The University of Utah - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- The neuroscience of campus memories - The Stanford Daily - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- How the Brain Enhances Sleep Through Synaptic Strength - Neuroscience News - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Neanderthoids and space brains: Stem cell researcher pushes the boundaries of neuroscience - Medical Xpress - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Nancy Padilla-Coreano - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Utilizing the Power of Neuroscience, Isabella Kensington May Have Cracked the Code Between Music and Healing - Spin - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Genetic Variants Linked to Alzheimers Trigger Inflammation in Females - Neuroscience News - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- New Astrocyte Target for Alzheimers Therapy - Neuroscience News - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Is an ankle sprain also a brain injury? How neuroscience is helping athletes, astronauts and average Joes - The Conversation Indonesia - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- 5 Brain Strategies to Dramatically Reduce Conflict and Boost Your Leadership, Backed by Neuroscience - Inc. - September 23rd, 2024 [September 23rd, 2024]
- Fascinating neuroscience research reveals a key mechanism underlying human cognition - PsyPost - September 23rd, 2024 [September 23rd, 2024]
- Averaging is a convenient fiction of neuroscience - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - September 23rd, 2024 [September 23rd, 2024]
- Repeat scans reveal brain changes that precede childbirth - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - September 23rd, 2024 [September 23rd, 2024]
- Neuroscience helps explain the teenage brain and mental health - ABC News - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- XX Marks the Spot: Addressing Sex Bias in Neuroscience - The Scientist - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- Neuroscience-based tools for transformative leadership - Fast Company - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- How 100 Years of EEG Have Transformed Neuroscience - Being Patient - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- Reconstructing dopamines link to reward - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- The neuroscience of itch in relation to transdiagnostic psychological approaches - Nature.com - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- A README for open neuroscience - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- Dopamine and the need for alternative theories - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- Kim Stachenfeld on the dance between neuroscience and artificial intelligence - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- Vijay Mohan K. Namboodiri - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- Varied Cognitive Training Boosts Learning and Memory - Neuroscience News - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- Issue | September 2024 | XX Marks the Spot: Addressing Sex Bias in Neuroscience - The Scientist - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- The Transmitter Partners With World Wide Neuro and Brain Inspired, Building on Mission to Inform, Connect Neuroscience Community - StreetInsider.com - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- Gene Therapy Offers Hope for Glaucoma and AMD - Neuroscience News - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- The Neuroscience of Phantom Sensations: Can We Feel Whats Not Really There? - SciTechDaily - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- Tau May Protect Brain Cells from Oxidative Damage - Neuroscience News - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- Scientists use fainting to uncover new insights into the neuroscience of consciousness - PsyPost - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- Biosensors and being fearless with Lin Tian - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- Can Neuroscience Train Your Brain to Be Happier? This Startup Has an App for That - Inc. - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- Neuroscience Surprise: Different Types of Love Light Up Different Parts of the Brain - SciTechDaily - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- Second paper from lab of Nobel Prize winner to be retracted - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- How cognitive bias affects your draft strategy with neuroscience professor Dr. Renee Miller - Yahoo Sports - August 5th, 2024 [August 5th, 2024]
- This 3-step approach to performance reviews uses neuroscience to make them less awful - Fast Company - August 5th, 2024 [August 5th, 2024]
- Is it time to worry about brain chimeras? - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - August 5th, 2024 [August 5th, 2024]
- Sharing brain images can foster new neuroscience discoveries - American Heart Association - July 26th, 2024 [July 26th, 2024]
- Latest News: Neuroscience Major Applies What Shes Learned in the Classroom and in the Lab - Muhlenberg College - July 26th, 2024 [July 26th, 2024]
- BioIVT to Highlight its Integral Role in Drug and Diagnostic Discovery and Development in addition to Neuroscience Research at Premier Life Science... - July 26th, 2024 [July 26th, 2024]
- Alto Neuroscience Receives Funding Award from Wellcome Trust to Accelerate Development of ALTO-100 in Bipolar Depression Leveraging Precision... - July 26th, 2024 [July 26th, 2024]
- Neuroscience Says 3 Simple Steps Can Turn Disappointment and Stress Into Success and Fulfillment (and Boost Your Emotional Intelligence) - Inc. - July 26th, 2024 [July 26th, 2024]