[Steve]
On the one hand it sounds like you are using "chance" as
"opportunity" or a range of possibilities yet to be settled, but on
the other hand as randomness and probability.
[Arlo]
I see "chance" as probability, yes. I contrast this with "certainty".
And I base this in the notion that all things are "free" to respond
to Quality (choice/preference) within their agenic sphere. I am not
sure how you use the term "randomness" if you are equating it with
"probability" in the above statement. Its a problematic term in
discourse as it has many distinct meanings. (See Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randomness).
[Steve]
... but I think the latter is problematic for the MOQ since
randomness can't be the explanation of anything.
[Arlo]
Here, again, it depends on what you mean by "randomness". I certainly
agree that there is choice/preference as the visible enactment of
"chance" (or if you prefer "potentiality" or "probability"). What I
am arguing against is the notion of coersive or orchestrated
"certainty", a sort of forced machination of an external "will" or
"plan". If by "random" you refer to something like a person walking
down the street who hears a song from a passing car that leads
her/him to a certain act, then yes, our value responses often are
shaped by "random" events. Some external "will" did not force you and
the passing car to be there in that moment, because if there was then
neither you nor the driver were acting freely.
[Steve]
We get there by saying that metaphysically, everything is
preferences, but there is no over-arching entity that guides all
preferences. There are instead just preferences based on preferences
based on preferences and so on without additional metaphysical
properties that entities either do or not have such as choice or randomness.
[Arlo]
I think we are saying the same thing, maybe disputing the way we are
using certain words. I am not disputing "preference", I am merely
highlighting that without the potential of differing outcomes, there
can be no "preference". A "preference" is only possible if more than
one outcome has probability of occurring.
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