Dilbert cartoon first published on Sunday 30th May 1993

Dilbert//1506, first published 33 years ago on Sunday 30th May 1993

Tags

dogbert dilbert chemistry control course actions brain natural physics

Official transcript

Dilbert sits at his desk. Dogbert asks, "Do you think the chemistry of the brain controls what people do?"

Dilbert replies, "Of course."

Dogbert asks, "Then how can we blame people for their actions?"

Dilbert replies, "Because people have free will to do as they choose."

Dogbert asks, "Are you saying that 'free will' is not part of the brain?"

Dilbert replies, "Of course it is, but it's the part of the brain that's out there just being kind of free."

Dogbert says, "So, you're saying the 'free will' part of the brain is exempt from the natural laws of physics."

Dilbert answers, "Obviously, otherwise we couldn't blame people for anything they do."

Dogbert asks, "Do you think the 'free will' part of the brain is attached or does it just float nearby?"

Dilbert replies, "Shut up."

originally published on dilbert.com

Open source transcript

DO YOU THINK THE CHEMISTRY OF THE BRAIN CONTROLS WHAT PEOPLE DO?

COURSE.

THEN HOW CAN WE BLAME PEOPLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS?

BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE FREE WILL TO DO AS THEY CHOOSE.

ARE YOU SAYING THAT "FREE WILL" IS NOT PART OF THE BRAIN?

OF COURSE IT IS. BUT IT'S THE PART OF THE BRAIN THAT'S OUT THERE JUST BEING KIND OF FREE.

50, YOU'RE SAYING THE "FREE WILL" PART OF THE BRAIN IS EXEMPT FROM THE NATURAL LAWS OF PHYSICS.

OBVIOUSLY. OTHERWISE WE COULDN'T BLAME PEOPLE FOR ANYTHING THEY DO.

DO YOU THINK THE "FREE WILL" PART OF THE BRAIN IS ATTACHED OR DOES IT JUST FLOAT NEARBY?

SHUT

collated from github.com/jvarn/dilbert-archive

AI Analysis

Comic Strip Title: "Free Will"

Summary:

The comic strip revolves around a conversation between Dilbert and a colleague about the concept of free will. The colleague questions whether people have free will to do as they choose, citing the brain's chemistry as the controlling factor. Dilbert responds by pointing out that the "free will" part of the brain is exempt from the natural laws of physics, implying that it operates independently.

Key Points:

• The comic strip explores the philosophical debate on free will.
• Dilbert's response highlights the brain's complex nature and the potential for free will to exist despite the brain's chemistry controlling actions.
• The conversation raises questions about the relationship between the brain and free will, leaving the reader to ponder the nature of human decision-making.

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