“The counter-argument that completely random behavior makes you vulnerable, because predictable agents better enjoy the benefits of social cooperation, just doesn’t have the same pull on people’s emotions.”
BTW, completely deterministic behaviour makes you vulnerable as well. Ask computer security experts.
Somewhat related note: Linux strong random number generator works by capturing real world actions (think user moving mouse) and hashing them into random number that is considered for all practical purposes perfect.
Taking or not taking action may depened on thousands inputs that cannot be reliably predicted or described (the reason is likely buried deep in the physics—enthropy, quantum uncertainity). This IMO is what is the real cause of “free will”.
“The counter-argument that completely random behavior makes you vulnerable, because predictable agents better enjoy the benefits of social cooperation, just doesn’t have the same pull on people’s emotions.”
BTW, completely deterministic behaviour makes you vulnerable as well. Ask computer security experts.
Somewhat related note: Linux strong random number generator works by capturing real world actions (think user moving mouse) and hashing them into random number that is considered for all practical purposes perfect.
Taking or not taking action may depened on thousands inputs that cannot be reliably predicted or described (the reason is likely buried deep in the physics—enthropy, quantum uncertainity). This IMO is what is the real cause of “free will”.