We are all agents of the Matrix

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Crackmonster wrote:

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ScrotieMcB wrote:

The only things we know with full certainty are the things we sense (hear, see, etc) — but not necessarily why we sense them — and deductive reasoning... and even then, remembering we knew such things can be a challenge. The whole of inductive reasoning — including the Matrix-challenged notion of "the world we perceive is real" — is rooted in faith.

Therefore, it is false that if you believe in morality, it happened because of your past that led you to believe in morality. It is widely considered epistemologically ethical to believe in a thing on the basis of evidence, and for good reason, but no evidence is technically required for belief. Each person's epistemological ethics are their own, and they could believe differently given the exact same inputs as another. It is choice, not determinism.

Determinism does say that everything that you are is a result of the past - it says that every action is a reaction to a previous action. That in itself refutes your bolded argument without needing to enter the mind boggling web of irrelevancy.

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Crackmonster wrote:

Right and wrong are not actually choices based on "personality", it is logical deductions of the world in the moment they are made, as such your current emotion plays a part in logically deducing what is right and wrong. Almost practically no one is able to walk the path and there comes a point they are limited to go beyond, but it is not because they follow logic and understanding, it is actually because they are slaves to their subconsciousness(emotions) which destructively interferes with logic by preventing you from having clarity. Pure logic is used to arrive at this understanding. Your so-called enlightenment is an attempt to throw away entire toolbox and solve all epistemological problems with a screwdriver. Why? In defense of your sacred cow, Determinism.

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Crackmonster wrote:

My friend lived for 2 years in an apartment. He lives the life of an escapist, he gets lost in the night, listening to music, staying on computer and whatever he was doing to distract himself from the misery of life. He is a good guy, not trying to hurt anyone and very emphatic, the pain of other people's suffering can make him cry. Just trying to mind his own life.

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Manocean wrote: