Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the minimum requirement for an agent to have free will?
What is the minimum requirement for an agent to have free will?
- To be able to control their actions (correct)
- To have causal determinism
- To have a specific faculty of will
- To be a person, not an animal
Who considered the question of free will to be the most contentious in metaphysics?
Who considered the question of free will to be the most contentious in metaphysics?
- Rene Descartes
- David Hume (correct)
- Immanuel Kant
- John Locke
What is the debate between incompatibilists and compatibilists about?
What is the debate between incompatibilists and compatibilists about?
- The relationship between free will and causal determinism (correct)
- The nature of metaphysics
- The difference between persons and animals
- The existence of free will
Why is it important to consider whether agents have free will?
Why is it important to consider whether agents have free will?
What is a key distinction between persons and animals in the context of free will?
What is a key distinction between persons and animals in the context of free will?
What is the term used to describe the idea that free will is not a specific faculty, but rather a shorthand for other features of persons?
What is the term used to describe the idea that free will is not a specific faculty, but rather a shorthand for other features of persons?
What is the main reason why Allison cannot walk her dog despite wanting to?
What is the main reason why Allison cannot walk her dog despite wanting to?
What is the term used to describe the idea that agents can do what they want to do even if they are causally determined to do that action?
What is the term used to describe the idea that agents can do what they want to do even if they are causally determined to do that action?
What is the relationship between free will and freedom of action?
What is the relationship between free will and freedom of action?
Why would Allison's taking the dog for a walk not be considered a free action if she was brainwashed during her nap?
Why would Allison's taking the dog for a walk not be considered a free action if she was brainwashed during her nap?
What is the distinction motivated by the scenario of Allison trying to walk her dog?
What is the distinction motivated by the scenario of Allison trying to walk her dog?
What is the outcome if there is a truth of causal determinism?
What is the outcome if there is a truth of causal determinism?
Why is brainwashing considered not a free action?
Why is brainwashing considered not a free action?
What does 'acting with free will' mean?
What does 'acting with free will' mean?
Why is a falling branch not morally responsible for breaking a car's window?
Why is a falling branch not morally responsible for breaking a car's window?
What is the relationship between free will and moral responsibility?
What is the relationship between free will and moral responsibility?
What is the difference between moral responsibility and causal responsibility?
What is the difference between moral responsibility and causal responsibility?
Can someone be morally responsible for an event even if they are not causally responsible for it?
Can someone be morally responsible for an event even if they are not causally responsible for it?
According to Thomas Hobbes, what is freedom?
According to Thomas Hobbes, what is freedom?
What is David Hume's definition of liberty?
What is David Hume's definition of liberty?
What is the key difference between the approaches of Hobbes and Hume?
What is the key difference between the approaches of Hobbes and Hume?
What is the example used to illustrate the concept of freedom in the text?
What is the example used to illustrate the concept of freedom in the text?
What is the distinction that some might argue is not made by Hobbes and Hume's approaches?
What is the distinction that some might argue is not made by Hobbes and Hume's approaches?
What is the main idea behind Hobbes and Hume's concepts of freedom?
What is the main idea behind Hobbes and Hume's concepts of freedom?
What is the main argument of the pessimist regarding free will?
What is the main argument of the pessimist regarding free will?
According to the pessimist, what happens if determinism is false?
According to the pessimist, what happens if determinism is false?
Where does the pessimist locate the indeterminacy in Allison's decision?
Where does the pessimist locate the indeterminacy in Allison's decision?
What is the result of the indeterminacy in Allison's decision, according to the pessimist?
What is the result of the indeterminacy in Allison's decision, according to the pessimist?
What is the main difference between the pessimist and the free will denier?
What is the main difference between the pessimist and the free will denier?
What is the pessimist's view on the relationship between indeterminism and free will?
What is the pessimist's view on the relationship between indeterminism and free will?
Study Notes
Free Will and Freedom
- Free will and freedom of action are distinct concepts: an agent can possess free will without having freedom of action.
- Example: Allison wants to walk her dog but is unable to due to a blizzard blocking her front door.
Compatibilism vs. Incompatibilism
- Compatibilists argue that free will is possible even if our choices are causally determined.
- Incompatibilists argue that free will is impossible if our choices are causally determined.
- Hobbes and Hume are characterized as compatibilists.
Necessary Conditions for Free Will
- An agent's decision does not arise from their free will if they are brainwashed or coerced.
- Free will might be a necessary condition for free action.
Moral Responsibility
- Moral responsibility requires free will.
- Moral responsibility is distinct from causal responsibility.
- An agent can be morally responsible for an event even if they are not causally responsible.
Accounts of Freedom
- Thomas Hobbes: freedom consists in the absence of external impediments to an agent doing what they want to do.
- David Hume: freedom is the power of acting or not acting according to the determination of the will.
- Both Hobbes and Hume hold that an agent is free if they are not prevented by some external obstacle from completing their chosen course of action.
Pessimism and Indeterminism
- Pessimists argue that indeterminism undermines free will, as the occurrence of reasons is outside of an agent's control.
- Pessimists believe that the addition of indeterminism makes agents lack the kind of control needed for free will.
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Description
Explore the concept of free will, a contentious question in metaphysics. Delve into the nature of free will and whether it's a capacity unique to humans or shared with animals. Quiz yourself on the fundamental questions of free will.
