To the question whether I would admit that the cause of…
““To the question whether I would admit that the cause of the decision of the atom has something in common with the cause of the decision of the brain, I would simply answer that there is no cause. In the case of the brain I have a deeper insight into the decision; this insight exhibits it as volition, i.e. something outside causality.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Eddington argues that decisions, whether atomic or neural, lack deterministic causes; instead, they arise from volition, a non‑causal agency.
In simple terms: Decisions aren't caused, they stem from free will beyond causality.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the role of volition beyond deterministic explanations.
Themes
free will
causality
physics
philosophy
Mood
thought‑provoking
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
scientific
When to use this quote
- scientific debate
- ethical reasoning
- personal decision‑making
Key Concepts
determinism
quantum mechanics
mind‑body problem
Questions to Reflect On
- Can free will exist without a causal basis?
- How does this view affect moral responsibility?
A Different Perspective
Volition may be hard to measure or prove scientifically.