[Cheburashka]

Well said. The will is a slave to the heart.
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The will might be a slave to the heart, but the mind is not.

1) I wanted to drink, so I did.

2) I wanted to drive, so I did.

3) I hit and killed that woman and her 4 children.

4) Since I am merely a meat puppet, what purpose is served by punishing me? I don't have free will - when I get out I will drink and drive again. Because I don't have free will.

The logical extension of this is laws are useless, they can't control people, so why have them?

That way brutal and murderous anarchy and the death of society lie. I killed him because I'm a meat puppet, I molested the child because I'm a meat puppet, I cheated on my taxes because I'm a meat puppet. (Ya think the IRS will buy that one?)

Laws and punishment have utility only if people can control their will. It adds additional incentive to those who might otherwise be inclined to follow their will. Punishment and the threat thereof can only work if the mind can control the will.

[freedomfiter2]

Laws and punishment have utility only if people can control their will.


Wrong. Punishment changes the perspective. A selfish individual may still want to steal his neighbors car, but the likelyhood and severity of punishment makes it not worth it to him. He still is acting out the desires of his heart.