Am I totally inferring the link between two events? Causation question...

[Natasha Tori Maru]

I do shit (shit#1) - then shit (shit#2) occurs afterwards.

Shit#1 and Shit#2 appear to be associated.

But in reality, all I can say is one shit is happening then another.

I am making a connection between the two shits - via inference - up in my head?

I got to this based on determinism / free will and reviewing this thread:

Confused with free will

I don't think I can say anything else other than "I observe some pattern of shit, some regularities of said shit, and some sequences of shit"

Correct me if I am wrong - but I am making this connection up?

Edited 5 hours ago by Natasha Tori Maru

[Jodistrict]

See David Hume's critique of causality.  Our minds are hardwired to project the feeling of anticipation onto nature, mistaking an internal association of ideas for an objective law of the universe.

https://philosophyalevel.com/posts/hume-causation-problem-of-induction/

[Natasha Tori Maru]

@Jodistrict appreciated 💫🙏🏻

[Joseph Maynor]

I'm not a skeptic as to causation.  

[Jirh]

That's a juicy one, for sure!

Here are my thoughts after years of deep contemplation:

Causality is an illusion; a perfectly solid and convincing one. But still ultimately an illusion.

An illusion is something that seems there while it isn't actually there.

Same goes for free will. We feel we are conscious agents doing stuff freely, but when we examine it deeply, we don't choose our motivations or capabilities or circumstances or anything, even our breath, so where's the freedom and agency?

Determinism, on the other hand, is the truth that we refuse to accept, no matter how we try not to. We always seek change through causation. We aren't aware of our lack of free will. We feel capable of making a difference. But what difference are we making if the script is already written? From the moment we decided that we want to create change, to the moment our endeavour is over.

[Natasha Tori Maru]

52 minutes ago, Joseph Maynor said:

I'm not a skeptic as to causation.  

Tell me your thoughts - most welcome.

@Jirh How so you operate in the world, in terms of agency? I view myself as simply taking action when the highest probability for a certain outcome arises, to possibly affect a desirable outcome. I move as if I have no ultimate control, and I am at the mercy of any possibility that may arise. I aim to accumulate the wisdom to know when to act, and this is all. Lower stress because there isn't an attachment to outcome. Surprise when things go my way.

But to conceptualise cause is my own inference, and that 'happenings' just occur. WHAT. I realise all I have been doing is noticing sequences, patterns and trends/regularity/frequency. And acting based on my accumulated feedback from experience in reality.

I don't want to think about it too much because I feel as if it is just... MAGIC. Everything just. HAPPENS.

Edited 1 hour ago by Natasha Tori Maru

[Joseph Maynor]

@Natasha Tori Maru  Causation is an aspect of creation.  Or the creator.  So in a way we create our own lives.  But this doesn't mean that others don't have a role.  But this gets into the self vs. other duality.

[Jirh]

@Natasha Tori Maru I think you're nailing it. Good for you! I don't think you can top magic. It's just the best state to be.

I do the same mostly. Sometimes, more intellectually, and other times more intuitively, depending on context. And generally, I try to balance my thinking with my feelings and vice-versa.

You seem well-balanced.