Philosophy of Free Will and Determinism
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Questions and Answers

What does determinism claim about human choices?

  • They are influenced only by divine intervention.
  • They are inevitable consequences of prior causes. (correct)
  • They are entirely random.
  • They are made completely unconsciously.

Metaphysical fatalism allows for open possibilities in future events.

False (B)

What is the key belief of libertarianism regarding human choice?

Humans have genuine free will and can act differently.

According to hard determinism, free will is considered a(n) ______.

<p>illusion</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which concept reconciles free will and determinism?

<p>Soft Determinism (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Theological fatalism connects divine foreknowledge with the illusion of free will.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is divine foreknowledge?

<p>God's complete and perfect knowledge of all events.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their definitions:

<p>Determinism = The belief that all events are causally predetermined Fatalism = The view that all events are fixed regardless of causes Libertarianism = The belief in genuine free will Soft Determinism = The reconciliation of free will with determinism</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary assertion of biological realism?

<p>Racial categories are based on objective biological differences. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Critics of biological realism argue that genetic variation within racial groups is usually greater than that between them.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main argument for social constructivism regarding race?

<p>Race is a social construct created and maintained by human societies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Eliminativism argues that racial categories lack a real basis and should be __________.

<p>eliminated</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following arguments with their respective perspectives on race:

<p>Biological Realism = Cites health disparities as evidence Social Constructivism = Race is fluid and context-dependent Eliminativism = Focuses on ethical implications of racial categories Critics of Social Constructivism = Argue for the existence of underlying biological differences</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a common argument against biological realism?

<p>Racial categories are fixed and absolute. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do proponents of eliminativism believe about racial classifications?

<p>They believe that racial classifications perpetuate harmful stereotypes and inequalities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Opponents of eliminativism argue that simply eliminating racial categories will address social problems of racism and inequality.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Determinism

The belief that all events, including human choices, are predetermined by prior causes. It suggests a chain reaction of cause and effect.

Metaphysical Fatalism

Claims that all events are fixed and predetermined, regardless of causes or choices. It argues that there are no open possibilities and the future is already set.

Theological Fatalism

Connects predetermined events to divine foreknowledge. It implies that God's knowledge of future events fixes their outcome.

(Metaphysical) Libertarianism

Argues that humans have genuine free will. It suggests that our choices are not predetermined and we have the power to act differently.

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Hard Determinism

Contends that all events, including human actions, are causally predetermined. It views free will as an illusion and suggests our choices are beyond our control.

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Soft Determinism (Compatibilism)

Attempts to reconcile free will and determinism. It suggests that even if our actions are predetermined, we can still have free will if they originate from our own desires and motivations.

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Divine Foreknowledge

God's complete and perfect knowledge of all events, past, present, and future.

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Divine Foreknowledge and Fatalism

The argument that if God has perfect foreknowledge, the future is fixed and fatalism is true. If God knows an event with certainty, it must happen.

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Biological Realism

The belief that racial categories are based on real, biological differences, like those used to classify animals.

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Arguments for Biological Realism

Proponents often point to physical differences like skin color as evidence of genetic variations that justify racial categorization. They also cite health disparities as potential evidence.

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Arguments against Biological Realism

Critics argue that genetic variation within a race often exceeds variation between races, weakening the concept of distinct biological categories. Social factors also complicate clear-cut racial boundaries.

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Social Constructivism

This view argues that race is not biologically real but a social construct created and maintained by societies.

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Arguments for Social Constructivism

Different societies define race in different ways, showing the fluidity and arbitrariness of racial categories. This supports the idea that race is socially constructed, not fixed by biology.

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Arguments against Social Constructivism

While social factors shape our understanding of race, some argue that biological differences could still contribute to the concept of race.

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Eliminativism

This view argues that racial categories lack a real basis and should be eliminated entirely. It claims that the concept of race relies on false assumptions about human diversity and promotes inequality.

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Arguments for Eliminativism

Eliminativists believe that using racial categories contributes to racism and discrimination. They argue that abandoning racial classifications would create a more just and equitable society.

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Study Notes

Determinism

  • Determinism claims all events, including human choices, are predetermined consequences of prior causes.
  • This follows a chain of cause and effect.

Fatalism

  • Metaphysical fatalism: All events are fixed, regardless of causes or choices. The future is predetermined.
  • Theological fatalism: God's foreknowledge fixes the outcome of events.

Libertarianism

  • Libertarianism argues humans have genuine free will.
  • This means choices are not pre-determined, and individuals can act differently than they do.
  • It emphasizes the ability to make autonomous choices.

Hard Determinism

  • Hard determinism argues all events, including actions, are completely determined.
  • This view eliminates free will, seeing choices as a result of causal factors outside our control.

Soft Determinism/Compatibilism

  • Soft determinism attempts to reconcile free will with determinism.
  • It suggests free will is possible even if actions are causally determined, if those actions originate in individual desires & motivations.

Hard Determinism and Punishment

  • If free will is an illusion (hard determinism), traditional punishment may lose its justification.
  • Actions are predetermined, so individuals may not be morally responsible in the traditional sense.

Divine Foreknowledge

  • Divine foreknowledge is God's complete knowledge of all past, present, and future events.

Divine Foreknowledge and Fatalism

  • If God has perfect foreknowledge, the future is fixed (fatalism).
  • God's certain knowledge implies the event must happen; otherwise, God's knowledge is fallible.

Biological Realism (Race)

  • Biological realism suggests races are based on objective biological differences.
  • Proponents point to morphological differences (e.g., skin color) and health disparities that imply genetic differences.

Social Constructivism (Race)

  • Social constructivism argues race is a social construct, not a biological reality.
  • It is created and maintained by societies to establish social hierarchies & power dynamics.
  • Historical and cultural variation in racial classifications supports this view.

Eliminativism (Race)

  • Eliminativism posits that racial categories are false and without a real basis.
  • Eliminating racial classifications would promote a more equitable society, as they perpetuate harmful stereotypes.

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Description

Explore the concepts of determinism, fatalism, libertarianism, and the differences between hard and soft determinism. This quiz will help you understand various philosophical perspectives on free will and its implications for human choice and autonomy.

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