Hair splitting. The mechanics of “brain wiring”, or synaptic pathways, are technically physical, but not pre-determined. A person can be delusional or mentally ill without having a physical brain disorder. Behavior is learned and ultimately by choice. To claim otherwise is to say that free will doesn’t exist. That we’re all just leaves blowing on the wind and unable to determine our own fate.
Wrong. Autism is pre-determined in the womb, mostly by genetics. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that begins early in childhood and lasts throughout a person's life.
It's not known what causes schizophrenia, but researchers believe that a combination of genetics, brain chemistry and environment contributes to development of the disorder. ... While researchers aren't certain about the significance of these changes, they indicate that schizophrenia is a brain disease.
"A person can be delusional or mentally ill without having a physical brain disorder."
How does that work or did you mean emotionally ill? You do know what delusions are, right? Ever seen the factual movie, "A Beautiful Mind"? He was a paranoid/schizophrenic who saw, heard, and experienced non-reality. He was one in millions who decided to just ignore those delusions/hallucinations. He won the Nobel Prize in mathematics, but still saw his friends until the day he died. His affliction was caused from bad brain wiring that most psychiatrists believe to be pre-determined. Do you not believe in genetic pre-determined cancer or Down's syndrome?
"Behavior is learned and ultimately by choice."
Right, but only in those who have a normally functioning brain pan.
"To claim otherwise is to say that free will doesn’t exist. That we’re all just leaves blowing on the wind and unable to determine our own fate."
What kind of hippie nonsense does that mean? I feel so bad for people with neurological problems. "A neurological disorder is any disorder of the nervous system. Structural, biochemical or electrical abnormalities in the brain, spinal cord or other nerves can result in a range of symptoms."
And then there is Alzheimer's disease which is an established brain disease that is now being somewhat treated with drugs.
You're wrong on many counts. The only one we agree on is a normal brain can be influenced by bad upbringing, peer pressure, and/or other societal influences like violent media. Then, that normal brain/mind has free will and choice. That's where I say eff 'em when they make anti-social decisions.
I can say the above from my own life experiences. I was a juvenile delinquent in my youth due to non-existent parents and hanging with like peers for a surrogate replacement, much like gang members do. My normal brain got over it and decided to take a better path and joined the Navy. It's been uphill since...