What Is Free Will?

This is a deep topic that could take us down thousands of scientific rabbit holes without even trying too hard to do so. The real issue is that it can take us down two different roads: Hard Science and Soft Science. Hard science is stuff like chemistry, biology, etc. Meanwhile, Soft Science is stuff like sociology, anthropology, philosophy, etc. When you ask about “free will,” both sides of the scientific community will have their thoughts on the matter. They will not completely agree if they even agree slightly.

When you look at it on one side, free will is simply the idea that man can choose the path he walks. He will make the decision to do what he wants. Yet others might say that he does not because his life forces him to do similar things daily, such as go to work, eat, etc. In essence, he does not have complete free will there. If he chose to do something different, he displays free will. Meanwhile, if there is such a thing as intelligent design, nothing he does is ever free. As his actions were already decided.

Multiverse Theory

We referenced this slightly when we brought up String Theory as well as the Dimensions. Yet there are several who debate the mere idea that there are multiple universes at all. Yet in order for some things to be a reality, there would need to be more than one universe. On top of that, scientists already found what they believe is a universe that moves backward compared to our own. The struggle for many is clear though.

If we did have multiple universes, do each mirror our own? As in, if there is a Cynthia Brown in our universe, are they the same as a Cynthia Brown in another? Moreover, are human beings in other universes, or are we the only ones that will ever exist? Are there multiple universes for every different decision and avenue we take? If so, does that not mean that we have an infinite amount of universes? Does this multiverse concept also work with other living beings, like animals? Clearly, it’s a lot!

Are We Alone In The Universe?

It seems many scientists agree today that it is certainly possible that life exists besides our own somewhere in the universe. It would be odd to think otherwise for sure. In just our Milky Way Galaxy, there are between 100 to 400 billion stars, many having planets relatively close. There are also roughly 125 billion known galaxies, all with several million to several billion stars. Many also with planets near them.

Not only would be unwise to say no other life exists but for those found on Earth, it would be insane based on a statistical measure. The problem is, we have yet to prove that life currently exists somewhere out there. It takes us down a scientific rabbit-hole quite often. We have no answers for why we have not been able to find life elsewhere yet other than the fact that we have not looked in the right place. It comes down to assuming life is possibly existing, we just don’t know where.

What Is Consciousness?

One main issue we brought up regarding uploading our brain into a computer was that YOU would not be uploaded into the computer too. Your personality, the way in which you ask or answer questions, how you react to things, etc. Your brain might upload but not you. Consciousness is defined as merely being awake and aware of your surroundings. As well as the awareness and perception of something, on top of the awareness by the mind of itself and the world around you.

This means that if you cannot determine what you are, you will not be conscious. Let’s say you can determine what you are though. Are you capable of being self-aware, such as knowing who you are if you saw yourself in a mirror? If you can, this proves two things. You know who you are and can recognize it. However, one can do this in a dream even when they aren’t awake. This is why the topic is so controversial in the scientific community. We cannot fully agree on a universal principle.

Is Time Travel Possible?

If you were asking us, we at Science Sensei belief that time travel is certainly possible. In fact, we’ve written on the topic a little too. While we might believe it is, we’re not the only people involved in the scientific community. It is a massive community, with several experts in many fields. If you ask some about time travel, they might say it’s not possible because if it were, we’d already see them come back to top a major horror that happened in history before it happened.

Yet this breaks with major time travel theories. Which states that if you, perhaps, went back in time and killed Baby Hitler, you’d go to a new present, as the time traveler. This would not be the present you’re previously from. Therefore, you’ve now created a branched universe. One where your action took place and the other, where it did not. Plus, what if your Baby Hitler move didn’t stop a bad event from ever happening? Thus, if time travel is indeed possible, it would be very hard to prove.

What Makes Us Human?

As we get closer to the age of AI coming into play, as well as the introduction of made for order organs, robotic body parts, and much more, how do we know what is human? How can we claim to be human if we’re filled with non-human organs, and use robotic limbs? Removing this, what makes us human anyway? Do we base it on our intelligence or language skills? We certainly cannot base it on looks, as Hominids we came from in our evolutionary history looked a lot like Great Apes today.

If we cannot base humanity on looks, intelligence, or language skills, then what can we base it on? Perhaps, our ability to form long-term plans? Yet both bears and squirrels alone have long-term planning skills. Maybe our self-awareness and cognitive skills? Yet Koko the Gorilla had the ability to watch a movie, remember the actor, and spot them on the cover of the movie. Then recognize them in person. All of this at once. Where do humans differ enough to be human? Enter the rabbit hole!