I am reframing a previous discussion - that I have closed (12/17/09 - 11:00 am EST U.S.) to try to set it on a clearer track (perhaps.) I noticed that certain definitions of 'movements' allowed people to skirt my point - or, perhaps to miss it entirely. I also noticed that some people don't seem to be able to follow their own stated logic to a big picture conclusion when these 'definitions' interfere. Therefore, I will not be using the terms 'determinism' or 'free will'. Nevertheless - please use whatever terms you like - I will be 'moderating' with my replies to try and keep things to the proposition, as stated.
I accept the notion that, no matter what is going on in the universe (from soup to nuts), it is impossible for a human, or any number of humans, to formulate an absolute picture that includes every detail, the relationships between all details, and the implications of these relationships. Therefore, as humans, our ability to accurately portray the past or predict the future is limited as well.
However, it seems to me, that if there are no 'accidents' or 'nonsense events' that ever occur (meaning events that happen outside of the hyper complex system of cause and effect), then everything that 'happens' is a result and becomes a cause of further events.
Therefore, anything we do as humans is predetermined by all the overall system of previous causes and, following the same logic, everything that results is part of that predetermined chain. Therefore, we have no more responsibility for the results of our actions than does a hurricane.
However, I would further assert that, since we cannot be certain that this relentless, unswerving system of cause and effect is what is actually happening, it behooves us to act as if it is not. That is to say, we should take responsibility for our actions, even if we may not actually be responsible. Nevertheless, to bring sincerity to this stance, we must, then, 'buy-in' to the possible 'illusion' that we are more than just a medium for the inexorable flow of causality.