4C: Implications Flashcards
If hard determinism is true, do we have responsibility for our actions?
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
If hard determinism is true, are we right to punish criminals?
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
If hard determinism is true, is there any point to the ethical theories studied?
- 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?
If hard determinism is true, is there a point in praying?
No
- If what we do is 100% determined then what’s the point in trying to change this; especially for religious determinism
If hard determinism is true, should God still be thought of as good?
No
- If he determines to ruin multiple lives… especially if when he’s determined them to be innocent, seems to be unfair
If hard determinism is true, is God omnipotent/omniscient?
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
If hard determinism is true, what does it mean about the possibility and nature of miracles?
- They aren’t really miracles, they were always going to happen: determined/created to happen that way
If soft determinism is true, do we have responsibility for our actions?
No
- We are not responsible for anything; all determined
- Even internal and external causes
If soft determinism is true, are we right to punish criminals?
No
- Not their choice because it was determined
If soft determinism is true, is there any point to ethical theories studied?
No
- Not useful if the only thing that goes against our free will is an external cause which isn’t our choice anyway
If soft determinism is true, is there a point in praying?
No
- Unless it brings a religious person comfort
- Ignorance to much of determinism is bliss and they will like to think it will help
If soft determinism is true, should God still be thought of as good?
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
If soft determinism is true, is God omnipotent/omniscient?
No
- What is the point in us being here if we’re puppets of God; what was his purpose?
If soft determinism is true, what does it mean about the possibility and nature of miracles?
- If humans have no free will but something amazing happens with no human interaction/human cause: it could be a miracle and not determined?
If theological determinism is true, do we have responsibility for our actions?
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?
If theological determinism is true, are we right to punish criminals?
- 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
If theological determinism is true, is there is any point to the ethical theories studied?
- 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
If theological determinism is true, is there a point in praying?
No
- Calvin describes that reprobates will show an addiction to sinful acts anyway: so against their will, probably wouldn’t anyway
If theological determinism is true, should God still be thought of as good?
No
- It isn’t you’re choice: you don’t get to prove yourself
- Idea of Original Sin itself isn’t good of good
If theological determinism is true, is God omnipotent/omniscient?
Yes
- Inconsistent triad: God is omnipotent and omniscient but not omnibenevolent
If theological determinism is true, what does it mean about the possibility and nature of miracles?
No
- If God determined it all and who would do what this would mean he is omniscient
- Miracles cannot be true
If libertarianism is true, do we have responsibility for our actions?
Yes
- Every choice is our own
- A scary amount of freedom BUT this means it is definitely all down to us
If libertarianism is true, are we right to punish criminals?
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
If libertarianism is true, is there any point to the ethical theories studied?
Yes
- If choices are down to us, we can study actions and morality in different people and why this changes
If libertarianism is true, is there a point in praying?
- Only if you exclude God from our free will and view him in a religious way where he is limited on determinism
If libertarianism is true, should God still be thought of as good?
Yes
- He allows us to make up our own minds: ethical BUT if he’s omnipotent he shouldn’t prevent unnecessary tragedies
If libertarianism is true, is God omnipotent/omniscient?
- If he’s omniscient, are there situations he can prevent?
If libertarianism is true, what does it mean about the possibility and nature of miracles?
- 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
