What is Reality?

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If reality is mathematics, is there free will?

Yes, no and maybe! In my (subjective) opinion there is no free will, but there is the illusion of free will. But on the other hand if the multiverse principle of the universe is true and there is an alternate reality (new dimension) for each and every alternative course of action then there exists a universe where you chose each one of your possible choices.

There is a free will. For example. you make the choice....obey rules/laws or do not. You can choose to go 40 mph when posted or you can choose to go 65. Either way you made the choice. Same with killing someone. You either choose to kill or not to. No one is forcing you to do it. You might have reasons for making your decision but this doesn't interfere with your ability to choose one way or another.
So your will is free in this respect.
HOWEVER.
There are consequences to your choices. If you speed, you could get fined. If you kill someone, you could go to jail or be executed.

Jeez, the multiverse possibility kind of freaks me out. I wonder how I'm doing compared with my counterparts.

I keep having to turn to Google for this thread.

I wonder if your counterparts can contact you from another dimension?

There could be billions of different "you"; each in their own parallel universe. Some millionaires, some living in poverty, some really happy and some in prison. Each and every decision you made in your life leading to alternate realities. Yes it is quite frightening. I'm undecided on the multiverse; some weird stuff happens at the quantum level but I'm sure physicists will figure it out eventually.

Personally I'm not convinced the multiverse theory is true, in which case I believe you don't have free will - just the illusion of making a choice.

Lol, both alive under the box and dead with the exploded poison capsule then!

You got it!

Then how is intersubjective communication possible.

ruveyn

Insanity. Never-ending boiling chaos. Our science, our rules of reality, are only solid and true for as long as the universe allows them to be. But hey, it's the only explanation and function that we have, the only influence that we have. Everything outside of science can just happen. Some things on the inside can too, but at least we can do something about that.

When we get into the things beyond science, beyond our human understanding, we have no control. The rules fall away, and we're revealed as what we are; Toys for the nameless, faceless forces of the universe, to be twisted and guided as they please.

I have at least some optimism here - ie. they might not have names or faces but they're more than willing to take on the names and faces we assign them and dialog with us to the extent that we can scare up a pigeon of sorts (ancients knew a bit more about this, we've spent more time as a culture trying to convince ourselves it's impossible). I don't mean to ram that down anyone's throat who believes consciousness to strictly be a function of material animate things, I just find the experiential arguments and documentation the other way persuasive.

Me too..with absolutely 100 percent confidence..or that faith thingy..if ya will..;)Too many dam REAL LIFE SYNCHRONICITIES beyond any current way to measure a scientific statistical probability..for me to ever dismiss IT...:)

perception is reality

^^^^^^ And astrologers study the stars.

Did you really mean to say astrologers there instead of astronomers?
Personally I don't buy into that horoscope nonsense.

Sorry. It was a sarcastic response to what I perceived to be a nonsensical post.

My view:
reality=existence
existence is that which occupies time and space

Obviously humans do not yet have a complete understanding of existence, this thread is evidence of that.

As for math, it is a tool in the quest for understanding.