Lack of Freewill doesn't mean lack of choice

Such intention doesn’t originate anything, though—it’s an epiphenomenon. So it doesn’t have any part in shaping the course of the universe in that sense.

I’ve given the argument several times throughout this thread, quoted it twice in the post above the one you’re replying to. You presumably don’t find it convincing, but if you’ve given a reason as to why so far, I’ve missed it.

Well, I’d certainly hope so—although of course I’m subject to as much bias and motivated reasoning as the next guy, so I can’t ever be quite sure. But for one thing, if you think I believe in free will, you have me pegged wrong—I merely don’t think the arguments marshalled against it work the way they’re intended to, but that doesn’t settle the matter, of course. Also, I can at least point to the fact that my opinion on this has changed, in the past—some years ago, I was making exactly the same sort of arguments you’re making now here on this board, e.g. in this thread:

And a bit later on:

It’s only after thinking about these issues some more that I eventually realized this sort of objection wasn’t as strong as I had believed, and moreover, can be made equally well for the supposed alternatives to free will.

Of course, maybe my past self was more enlightened than I am now, and my current doubts just stem from some deep-seated, unconscious desire to believe in free will—but in all honesty, as far as I can tell, I don’t particularly prefer either alternative (i.e. there being or not being free will). It’s simply irrelevant for most things that matter—as I said upthread, my path on a rollercoaster is perfectly predetermined, but that doesn’t impinge on my enjoyment, or make riding it pointless in any way.