4C: Implications

Question 1

If hard determinism is true, do we have responsibility for our actions?

Answer 1

No
- If we have no free will at all then we cannot be held accountable
- If we are so limited by external factors, surely it isn’t our decisiom

Question 2

If hard determinism is true, are we right to punish criminals?

Answer 2

No
- We should not punish people if they cannot help but make that decision
- It isn’t just to punish someone when it’s out of their control

Question 3

If hard determinism is true, is there any point to the ethical theories studied?

Answer 3

• If we’re saying we have no free will, why study ethical action? Surely we cannot study moral action if it’s not our choice?

Question 4

If hard determinism is true, is there a point in praying?

Answer 4

No
- If what we do is 100% determined then what’s the point in trying to change this; especially for religious determinism

Question 5

If hard determinism is true, should God still be thought of as good?

Answer 5

No
- If he determines to ruin multiple lives… especially if when he’s determined them to be innocent, seems to be unfair

Question 6

If hard determinism is true, is God omnipotent/omniscient?

Answer 6

Yes/no
- He is very omnipotent if we take something like religious determinism for example
- His omniscience means he knows the bad and doesn’t use his power to change it

Question 7

If hard determinism is true, what does it mean about the possibility and nature of miracles?

Answer 7

• They aren’t really miracles, they were always going to happen: determined/created to happen that way

Question 8

If soft determinism is true, do we have responsibility for our actions?

Answer 8

No
- We are not responsible for anything; all determined
- Even internal and external causes

Question 9

If soft determinism is true, are we right to punish criminals?

Answer 9

No
- Not their choice because it was determined

Question 10

If soft determinism is true, is there any point to ethical theories studied?

Answer 10

No
- Not useful if the only thing that goes against our free will is an external cause which isn’t our choice anyway

Question 11

If soft determinism is true, is there a point in praying?

Answer 11

No
- Unless it brings a religious person comfort
- Ignorance to much of determinism is bliss and they will like to think it will help

Question 12

If soft determinism is true, should God still be thought of as good?

Answer 12

No
- If he doesn’t help people when it’s not their choice but he has the power to, it’s not fair. Especially if they’ve been good or faithful

Question 13

If soft determinism is true, is God omnipotent/omniscient?

Answer 13

No
- What is the point in us being here if we’re puppets of God; what was his purpose?

Question 14

If soft determinism is true, what does it mean about the possibility and nature of miracles?

Answer 14

• If humans have no free will but something amazing happens with no human interaction/human cause: it could be a miracle and not determined?

Question 15

If theological determinism is true, do we have responsibility for our actions?

Answer 15

No
- If God is ‘sovereign over all things’ - how do we have moral responsibility?
- If God’s grace is ‘irresistible’ do we even have the choice to not be faithful?

Question 16

If theological determinism is true, are we right to punish criminals?

Answer 16

• The elect, free from concupiscence = chosen
• Reprobates = not chosen, not saved
• BUT was it their fault? What if it wasn’t and all determined- not fair to punish

Question 17

If theological determinism is true, is there is any point to the ethical theories studied?

Answer 17

• A person cannot do anything in life to change if they’re ‘elect’ or ‘reprobate’ so there is no point in normative ethics
• It doesn’t matter how you act

Question 18

If theological determinism is true, is there a point in praying?

Answer 18

No
- Calvin describes that reprobates will show an addiction to sinful acts anyway: so against their will, probably wouldn’t anyway

Question 19

If theological determinism is true, should God still be thought of as good?

Answer 19

No
- It isn’t you’re choice: you don’t get to prove yourself
- Idea of Original Sin itself isn’t good of good

Question 20

If theological determinism is true, is God omnipotent/omniscient?

Answer 20

Yes
- Inconsistent triad: God is omnipotent and omniscient but not omnibenevolent

Question 21

If theological determinism is true, what does it mean about the possibility and nature of miracles?

Answer 21

No
- If God determined it all and who would do what this would mean he is omniscient
- Miracles cannot be true

Question 22

If libertarianism is true, do we have responsibility for our actions?

Answer 22

Yes
- Every choice is our own
- A scary amount of freedom BUT this means it is definitely all down to us

Question 23

If libertarianism is true, are we right to punish criminals?

Answer 23

Yes
- If we are free to make moral decisions and it is down to ourselves to follow the law and rules then criminals should be punished and can be blamed

Question 24

If libertarianism is true, is there any point to the ethical theories studied?

Answer 24

Yes
- If choices are down to us, we can study actions and morality in different people and why this changes

Question 25

If libertarianism is true, is there a point in praying?

Answer 25

• Only if you exclude God from our free will and view him in a religious way where he is limited on determinism

Question 26

If libertarianism is true, should God still be thought of as good?

Answer 26

Yes
- He allows us to make up our own minds: ethical BUT if he’s omnipotent he shouldn’t prevent unnecessary tragedies

Question 27

If libertarianism is true, is God omnipotent/omniscient?

Answer 27

• If he’s omniscient, are there situations he can prevent?

Question 28

If libertarianism is true, what does it mean about the possibility and nature of miracles?

Answer 28

• Depends on how much we can regard a God being involved
• Miracles in religious and non religious sense can be understood to be true if we have free will and something amazing happens