Determinism and Free Will

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Questions and Answers

What characterizes a deterministic system?

Events are caused by previous events according to fixed laws. (correct)

Events are predetermined but not caused by prior events.

Events occur randomly without cause.

Events are influenced solely by human choice.

Why do some argue that determinism implies a lack of free will?

Humans have no ability to reason their choices.

All actions are preordained by a higher power.

Choices are often made impulsively without reflection.

Every choice results from uncontrollable prior causes. (correct)

Which concept suggests that free will is not necessarily linked to the ability to choose differently?

Causal determinism.

Principle of alternate possibilities.

Moral responsibility.

Frankfurt's argument. (correct)

What is a common belief among compatibilists regarding free will?

Free will means acting according to one's own motivations despite prior causes. Signup and view all the answers

What objection does Strawson face regarding moral responsibility?

We are responsible for our actions based on our desires. Signup and view all the answers

How does Strawson respond to the objection about moral responsibility?

We lack control over the characterization of our actions. Signup and view all the answers

What shift in focus does Patricia Churchland suggest regarding moral responsibility?

From free will to self-control. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best represents the principle of alternate possibilities?

Individuals always have the ability to act differently. Signup and view all the answers

How does Churchland's focus on self-control differ from the traditional understanding of responsibility?

It considers limitations due to neurological disorders. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary conclusion drawn from Libet’s experiments regarding free will?

Unconscious processes determine our actions. Signup and view all the answers

What is one critique of the conclusion that the Libet experiments disprove free will?

They are based on inaccurate timing of conscious awareness. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes Divine Command Theory?

What is right and wrong is defined by God’s commands. Signup and view all the answers

What is the essence of the Euthyphro dilemma?

It questions the nature of divine commands and goodness. Signup and view all the answers

What assumption is made in the argument for moral relativism?

Different cultures can hold differing moral codes. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key objection to the premise that different cultures' moral codes imply moral relativism?

Moral codes may still share underlying principles. Signup and view all the answers

What is the conclusion drawn from the analogy between female genital mutilation (FGM) and diet culture?

Both practices reflect societal pressures and harm individuals. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant difference between FGM and diet culture?

Diet culture does not cause physical harm. Signup and view all the answers

What is a critique of the premise that life has no meaning without an intelligent designer?

Individuals can create their own meaning. Signup and view all the answers

What is one argument against the idea that only pre-determined purposes can provide life's meaning?

Existentialism argues for self-created purpose. Signup and view all the answers

What type of decisions were primarily involved in Libet’s experiments?

Spontaneous and simple movements. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the conflict in the argument about the significance of moral codes across cultures?

Cultural practices differ but moral truths may be similar. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common criticism of Divine Command Theory?

It does not account for human moral reasoning. Signup and view all the answers

What does Nagel argue about the significance of our actions concerning future relevance?

Current actions retain significance independent of their future impact. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between intrinsic value and instrumental value?

Intrinsic value is valued in itself, while instrumental value helps achieve something else. Signup and view all the answers

What problem does Baggini raise regarding future goals and their relation to meaning?

Future goals often distract from present experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What does Baggini suggest about the potential harm of well-intentioned actions?

Unintentional harm can arise even with good intentions. Signup and view all the answers

How does the idea of autonomy conflict with the purpose of helping others?

It prioritizes others' goals over individual freedom. Signup and view all the answers

What objection does one have to the premise that evolutionary theory implies purpose in survival?

Evolution lacks inherent goals or intentions. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it incorrect to say an individual human's purpose is solely tied to species survival?

Life’s meaning is subjective and multifaceted. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of life does Nagel indicate contributes to the sense of absurdity?

The contradiction between the desire for meaning and life’s lack of objective purpose. Signup and view all the answers

Why might deriving meaning solely from future goals lead to instability?

The outcomes of our actions are unpredictable. Signup and view all the answers

What could be a consequence of equating helping others with life's purpose?

Limits personal growth and autonomy. Signup and view all the answers

What is an implication of viewing intrinsic value in life?

Certain experiences can be valued for their own sake. Signup and view all the answers

How does instrumental value primarily differ from intrinsic value?

Instrumental value holds worth because of its outcomes. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements does NOT reflect Baggini's viewpoint on helping others?

Aid should always come before respecting autonomy. Signup and view all the answers

What does Baggini suggest affects the pursuit of life meaning when focusing solely on future goals?

A diminished appreciation for current experiences. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Deterministic Systems and Free Will

A deterministic system is one where every event has a cause determined by prior events and fixed natural laws.
Some argue that if determinism is true, free will is impossible because all choices are predetermined.
The principle of alternate possibilities states that if someone acts freely, they could have chosen otherwise.
Critics of this principle argue that free will doesn’t necessarily require alternate possibilities,
The idea of compatibilism is that free will means acting on your own motivations, even if those motivations are predetermined.

Objections to Determinism and Free Will

Objection to Premise 1 (Alternate Possibilities): Frankfurt argues free will doesn't need alternate possibilities; actions align with desires and reasoning.
Objection to Premise 2 (Determinism): Compatibilism argues determinism doesn't rule out free will; free will is acting on your motivated desires.
Strawson's Objection: Moral responsibility rests on factors outside our control, since the ability to act differently depends on different starting points, which can't be chosen.
Strawson's Response: True moral responsibility is impossible to achieve because it requires starting conditions to be different.
Churchland's Alternative: Moral responsibility depends on self-control (how we regulate behavior) rather than free will.
- Example: Tourette's syndrome; free will unhelpful, focus on self-control, can differentiate responsibility limits by illness and self-control.

Libet Experiments & Free Will

Inference to the Best Explanation: Libet's experiments show brain activity (readiness potential) precedes conscious decision-making.
Inference: This suggests conscious will isn’t the cause of actions, unconscious processes are.

Objections to Libet Experiments

Timing of Consciousness: Libet's measurements of "feeling" decisions may be inaccurate; conscious decision-making and reported awareness might not match.
Scope of Results: The experiments concern simple motions, not complex choices relevant to moral choices or meaning.

Divine Command Theory

Divine Command Theory: Morality is determined by God's commands.
Objection (Euthyphro Dilemma): Does God command things because they are good, or are they good because God commands them? The arbitrariness of morality if good depends solely on God's command.

Moral Relativism

Argument for Moral Relativism: Different cultures have different moral codes, so morality varies cross-culturally
Objection to Premise 1: Different moral codes don't always imply a difference in morality. Common moral principles underlie different practices.

Harm and Relevance (FGM and Diet Culture)

Argument from Analogy: FGM and diet culture are similarly harmful, imposed, and driven by societal pressure.
Relevant Similarities: Both involve harmful practices imposed on individuals, often without full consent, and cause significant physical and psychological harm.
Relevant Dissimilarities: FGM is physically invasive, and legally challenged; diet culture is socially accepted and operates within a different context.

Meaning and Purpose (Intelligent Designer Argument)

Argument For Lack of Meaning: Without an intelligent designer, life lacks purpose.
Objection to Premise 1: Meaning and purpose can be self-created, derived from personal goals or social contributions, independent of a designer.

Objections to Predetermined Meaning

Self-Determined Purpose: Meaning can be created from personal choices and experiences, not solely from pre-determined purposes.
Existentialist View: Life has no inherent meaning; individuals create their own purpose through actions and experiences.

Nagel's Absurdity

Rejection of Time-Based Absurdity: Life's insignificance in a million years isn't the source of absurdity; actions matter in the present and in their particular context.
Inherent Absurdity: The absurdity comes from a conflict between our desire for meaning with the absence of absolute purpose in life

Intrinsic vs. Instrumental Value

Intrinsic Value: Value in and of itself; valued for its own sake. e.g., Happiness, love.
Instrumental Value: Value in achieving something else; used as a means. e.g., Money.

Problems with Future-Based Meaning

Uncertainty of Achieving Goals: Meaning based on future goals is uncertain and unstable; failure or unforeseen circumstances undermine purpose.
Ignoring Present Fulfillment: Focusing on future goals neglects present experiences; meaning arises from living in the present.

Problems with Helping Others as the Purpose

Unintentional Harm: Actions intended to help can unintentionally harm others; consequences matter.
Value of Autonomy: Focusing on helping others overlooks individual choice and goal-setting.

Evolutionary Purpose and Individual Meaning

Objection to Premise 1 (Evolutionary Purpose): Evolution is a natural process with no inherent purpose; species survival is a consequence, not a goal.
Objection to Premise 2 (Individual Purpose): Evolutionary purpose of a species doesn’t automatically equate to an individual’s life purpose; meaning and purpose can be sought through various domains, not just survival.

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Description

Explore the philosophical debate surrounding determinism and the concept of free will. This quiz delves into key arguments, including compatibilism and objections to traditional premises. Test your understanding of how determinism interacts with our notions of choice and agency.