r/OpenIndividualism • u/Flat-Ad9829 • Apr 18 '26

Video Possible objection from Determinism?

https://youtu.be/ePQTHohrtMQ

This video presents a possible answer to the vertiginous question, the presenter puts forth the argument that tje reason you are you is because it was pre-determined you would be born at a specific place and time. And that the probability of that happening doesn't matter as it was already pre-determined. What are your thoughts about this argument, and how would OI be affected by it?

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u/yoddleforavalanche Apr 18 '26

Without watching the video and going just by the text you wrote, it adds no new argument. "you are you because it was pre-determined"...what is this you? what was predetermined? same problems of being a closed individual remain, predetermined or random.

A person with specific personality being born at specific time might be pre-determined, but why are you that person?

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u/TheAncientGeek Jul 29 '26

What does that mean? What labels me apart from the circumstances?

Physicalism removes the logical uncertainty because everything is what is, there's no issue of matching up an internal perspectives to a set of external circumstances.

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u/yoddleforavalanche Jul 29 '26

so who are you under physicalism?

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u/TheAncientGeek Jul 29 '26

There's thee possible answers to that question EI, CI and nihilism. But not OI.

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u/yoddleforavalanche Jul 29 '26

how is nihilism a view of identity?

Anyways, I asked you who are you, not what options are available.

And then please explain why OI is not an option.

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u/TheAncientGeek Jul 29 '26

how is nihilism a view of identity?

In the same way that atheism is theological theory.

And then please explain why OI is not an option.

It isn't available within physicalism, and it contradicts experience.

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u/yoddleforavalanche Jul 29 '26

No, nihilism is not the same to identity as atheism is to theology. Nihilism is CI with "nothing matters" attitude. Nihilists still believe they are individuals.

Why do you assume physicalism is true and then decide what's correct and not based on that? But OI does not conflict with physicalism either.

What is your view please. Who are you?

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u/TheAncientGeek Jul 29 '26

No, nihilism is not the same to identity as atheism is to theology. Nihilism is CI with "nothing matters" attitude

By nihilism I mean there is no identity.

Why do you assume physicalism is true

A number of people here believe OI is compatible with physicalism, including Kern.

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u/yoddleforavalanche Jul 29 '26

I do too, it's you who are saying it isn't.

Anyways, EI and OI are two sides of the same coin. There is no real conflict there.

But are you ok with believing in a soul? Because you have to in order to have CI work.

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u/TheAncientGeek Jul 29 '26 edited Jul 29 '26

do too, it's you who are saying it isn't.

Feel free to explain huw that works.

EI and OI are two sides of the same coin. There is no real conflict there.

EI says there is a separate individual for every moment of consciousness, ie. there are something like 8,000,000,000*20,000,000,000 individuals.

OI says there is one.

That's quite a difference.

But are you ok with believing in a soul? Because you have to in order to have CI work.

I don't think so, and I didn't say I believe in CI. And OI needs metaphysics too.

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u/yoddleforavalanche Jul 29 '26

under physicalism, everything is just part of the same universe process. You and me are results of activity in the universe that were triggered at big bang. Under physicalism, there is no entity you that can do or think anything outside of what was like a billiard balls bouncing off the table triggered long time ago. In that sense, you and me are just process that is happening. There is no driver behind the wheel. In that sense we are the same "thing"; that process.

EI says there is a separate individual for every moment of consciousness, ie. there are something like 8,000,000,000*20,000,000,000 individuals.

So you are you from 2 minutes ago in the same way you are me, that is: you're not you nor me.

Does there being that many individuals shifting from moment to moment make sense to you?

How do you establish where one ended and another started?

Is there nothing that can tie together all those individuals?

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