Philosophy of Hard Determinism

Study Notes

Every event has a cause, implying that nobody acts freely.
Hard Determinism accepts the Principle of Universal Causation and denies Free Will Thesis.

Argument from the Feeling of Freedom: Sometimes we feel we are acting freely, suggesting the possibility of free will.
Argument from Choice: Sometimes we choose to do certain things, indicating freedom of action.
Argument from Drive Resistance: We can resist our desires and passions, hinting at a degree of control over our actions.
Argument from Moral Responsibility: We are sometimes held morally responsible for our actions, suggesting a capacity for free choice.

Moral responsibility refers to being accountable for one's actions, often accompanied by praise or blame.
Causal responsibility refers to the chain of events leading to an outcome, emphasizing cause and effect.
Distinguish between these two concepts to understand moral responsibility within the framework of free will.

Accepts the Principle of Universal Causation: All events have a cause.
Posits some voluntary actions: Allows for some form of free will within a deterministic framework.
Asserts moral responsibility for voluntary actions: Maintains that individuals are responsible for their choices and their consequences.

Typical Soft Determinism struggles to fully capture the essence of free will.
The definition of voluntary action, as influenced by beliefs and desires, may not adequately represent the concept of free will perceived by individuals.