Religion
In reply to the discussion: Free will and consciousness [View all]AlbertCat
(17,505 posts)that genes cut on and off all thru you life.
Also, that not only do your personal experiences effect your genes, but also experiences your ancestors had long ago (kinda what evolution s about) Genes "live" in a dynamic chemical environment that effects them.
"Free will" notions kinda come from that now thoroughly debunked notion of tabula rasa.... the blank slate. Humans weren't supposed to have any instincts. Animals have those and act without thinking. Well we know now we are born with plenty of instincts, just like any other animal.
It should also be noted that consciousness is not the do-all and end-all. Most of the systems that keep you alive have little to do with your consciousness.... indeed we are usually only aware of them if something is wrong or not normal with them. Hell, everyone is unconscious for a good part of the 24 hour cycle....yet we don't die in or sleep.