Daily Ramble 14 - VACUUMING AND THE QUESTION OF FREE WILL

April 2, 2020

VACUUMING AND THE QUESTION OF FREE WILL

l am still chewing on the question of whether we have "free will" or whether everything we think we are deciding to do is already decided by deterministic forces - before we actually think we have made a decision.

I took advantage of a housecleaning chore to explore the matter in a personal, idiosyncratic way - simply by examining the decisional steps involved in the chore during the actual work process.

It began with an external order from my partner, Emma. "Time to vacuum!" So my first decision was whether or not to obey.

I speculate that her issuance of the order arose from awareness of an established regularity - the biweekly vacuuming of the apartment by a housekeeper, now suspended due to the corona virus pandemic, and a perceived need to continue that regularity and maintain a certain standard of cleanliness.

I probably would not have perceived a need to vacuum until I started to stumble over "dust bunnies" which had developed into "dust rhinoceroses." - and, even then, I might have resorted to collecting them by hand or kicking them into corners.
 {dust bunnies"}

Nevertheless, I quickly chose to comply. Fast as my decision was, I felt I was weighing the alternatives and was free to comply or not. But the path of non-compliance seemed dangerous. Stated differently, I was willing to comply.

The decision about where to start was taken care of by another order - the kitchen, to allow Emma to wash the ceramic tile floor after I had finished. So I had to change my plan to start in our bedroom. That change was clearly a decision made by me in response to an order (showing free will because of the option for me to insist on starting in the bedroom or at least argue in favor of it.)

From that point on, I was on my own as far as decisions are concerned. First, as to the equipment and then as to the actual procedure within the rooms.

Now, I interrupt this ramble for two reasons:
First, I have found a book on the subject of free will which I want to read before going ahead.
"Who's in Charge?: Free Will and the Science of the Brain" by Prof. Michael S. Gazzaniga a leading cognitive neuroscientist, whatever that is. I dipped into the book and I find it interesting and informative. It will help me make the case that free will rules, I think.

Second, I feel the need for a good afternoon nap. So, I am deciding, against all historical precedent, to stop writing this piece in media res. Surely the oddity of this decision is some evidence that it is made as a result of my free will.

END