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If it were true, then the mass murderer is just doing what he must.

That is nothing more than an argument from adverse consequences, a failure of reasoning. In light of the fact that the bulk properties of human behavior are thoroughly deterministic on a mathematical level (even though we cannot always make precise predictions ourselves), it is incumbent on others show that a mass murder is not on a deterministic path.

Choice is an illusion, an assertion supportable by the measurable determinism of human choices in practice. A system capable of supporting genuine free will would have very different behavioral characteristics.

Thank you for sharing your view!

That is precisely the reaction I would expect from anyone who believes strong artificial intelligence is doable, that biological creatures of all types can and will be replaced by machinery.

That is nothing more than an argument from adverse consequences, a failure of reasoning.

It is a matter of observation.

Did the murderer have a choice? We as a civilized society evidently believe that he did or else our putting him to death is truly a failure of reason.

Then again, what would be the purpose of reason at all - or morals - or laws - if all decisions are the involuntary consequences of the physical brain?

Getting back to observation though - many (if not most of us) observe that we and others exercise free will. And not only creatures with brains, but creatures without brains also make choices.