Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following best describes the compatibilist view of free will?
Which of the following best describes the compatibilist view of free will?
- Free will is the ability to make choices unconstrained by prior events, which is incompatible with determinism.
- Free will is an illusion because all events are causally determined.
- Free will exists when our actions align with our beliefs and desires, even if those are shaped by prior events. (correct)
- Free will requires a supernatural source of decision-making, independent of natural laws.
According to the consequence argument, a central tenet of incompatibilism, what is the primary conflict between free will and determinism?
According to the consequence argument, a central tenet of incompatibilism, what is the primary conflict between free will and determinism?
- Free will requires that individuals act without any influence from past experiences.
- Past events sometimes influence later events but sometimes do not, therefore past events rarely have much influence.
- Natural laws are suggestions rather than directives, and so people are free to break them whenever they see fit.
- Determinism necessitates that all actions are causally determined by past events and natural laws, which removes our control over present actions. (correct)
Libertarianism posits that free will exists and determinism is false. What is a major objection to the libertarian perspective?
Libertarianism posits that free will exists and determinism is false. What is a major objection to the libertarian perspective?
- Libertarianism ignores that past events have a causal effect on subsequent actions.
- Libertarianism emphasizes free will as a mechanism for justifying rigid hierarchical structures.
- If actions are not determined, they are random, undermining meaningful personal control and responsibility. (correct)
- Libertarianism is internally inconsistent, as determinism is true.
Galen Strawson’s Basic Argument, supporting hard determinism, suggests that true responsibility for one's actions is impossible. According to this argument, where does the problem lie?
Galen Strawson’s Basic Argument, supporting hard determinism, suggests that true responsibility for one's actions is impossible. According to this argument, where does the problem lie?
Hard determinism faces the objection that it undermines moral responsibility. What is the core of this objection?
Hard determinism faces the objection that it undermines moral responsibility. What is the core of this objection?
Imagine a person who desires to donate to charity and successfully does so. According to compatibilism, is this person exercising free will?
Imagine a person who desires to donate to charity and successfully does so. According to compatibilism, is this person exercising free will?
Consider a scenario where a person is compelled to commit a crime due to severe threats against their family. Which perspective might argue that the person's action was not truly free?
Consider a scenario where a person is compelled to commit a crime due to severe threats against their family. Which perspective might argue that the person's action was not truly free?
A scientist builds a computer program which can successfully mimic conversation. The program can answer questions, tell jokes and even write poetry. Based on the provided content, how would you categorize this program?
A scientist builds a computer program which can successfully mimic conversation. The program can answer questions, tell jokes and even write poetry. Based on the provided content, how would you categorize this program?
What is the key distinction between Strong AI and Weak AI?
What is the key distinction between Strong AI and Weak AI?
Consider an AI system that is designed to play chess. It analyzes millions of board states, and consistently beats even the best human chess players. Is this Strong AI or Weak AI?
Consider an AI system that is designed to play chess. It analyzes millions of board states, and consistently beats even the best human chess players. Is this Strong AI or Weak AI?
Flashcards
Compatibilism
Compatibilism
The belief that free will and determinism can coexist.
Incompatibilism
Incompatibilism
The view that free will and determinism cannot both be true.
Consequence Argument
Consequence Argument
If determinism is true, our actions are caused by past events and natural laws; therefore, we cannot control our actions.
Libertarianism
Libertarianism
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Hard Determinism
Hard Determinism
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Strawson’s Basic Argument
Strawson’s Basic Argument
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Strong AI
Strong AI
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Weak AI
Weak AI
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Study Notes
- Compatibilism is the belief that free will and determinism can coexist.
- Free will, according to compatibilism, involves acting on our beliefs and desires, even if these are shaped by past events.
Freedom conditions in Compatibilism:
- Possessing the power or ability to act according to desires.
- Absence of constraints or impediments that prevent us from achieving our desires.
- A critique of Compatibilism argues that if beliefs and desires are shaped by factors beyond our control, then we are not truly free.
Incompatibilism and the Consequence Argument
- Incompatibilism posits that free will and determinism cannot both be true.
Consequence Argument:
- If determinism is true, then our actions are caused by past events and natural laws.
- We lack control over past events or natural laws.
- Therefore, we cannot control our actions.
- Consequently, if we cannot control our actions, we do not have free will.
- Libertarianism asserts that we possess true free will and that determinism is false.
- Under libertarianism, free will involves genuine, deliberate choices not fully determined by past events.
- An argument against libertarianism states if our actions are not determined, then they are random and lack meaningful control.
- Hard determinism is an incompatibilist view that free will does not exist because determinism is true.
- Hard determinists are also known as free will skeptics, rejecting both compatibilism and libertarianism.
Galen Strawson’s Basic Argument:
- Actions originate from our nature or character.
- Responsibility for actions implies responsibility for our nature or character.
- Our nature or character is shaped by past actions.
- These past actions were shaped by an earlier version of our character.
- The cycle continues infinitely.
- Thus, no one is truly responsible for their actions, which undermines libertarianism.
- An objection to hard determinism suggests if no one is responsible for their actions, moral responsibility is void.
- For Compatibilism, the objection is if desires are shaped by external factors, choices are not free.
- For Libertarianism, the objection is if actions are undetermined, they are random, removing meaningful control.
- For Hard Determinism, the objection is if no one is responsible, morality is meaningless.
- Strong AI refers to a machine capable of thinking, reasoning, and understanding at a human level, possessing its own mind.
- Weak AI refers to a machine that simulates intelligence by following programmed rules, without genuine understanding.
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