Determinism and Mind - Essay

Question 1

• Present Frankfurt’s objection to the principle we’ve called Could have done Otherwise. •• Offer one possible response on van Inwagen’s behalf. [[did I call it “open possibilities” this time around?]]

Answer 1

• Source freedom against could have done otherwise; Bart and Homer: Homer wants bart to kick lisa in the shins. If Bart doesn’t do it, Homer will strangle him, but Bart in fact kicks lisa and wanted to kick lisa in the shins. The threat didn’t play any role in his thinking leading up to his kicking Lisa. The coercion of hurting was only there to ensure that Lisa would be kicked in the shins. Bart acted freely, even though he could not have acted otherwise.
• • Protecting CHDO Principle: Making a choice and having a choice are different

Question 2

• Present Jackson’s Knowledge Argument. •• Offer one possible objection to that argument.

Answer 2

• If (A) you know all the physical facts about the world but (B) you learn something new about the world that is not part of the physical facts about the world -> (C)There is at least one thing in the world that is non-physical information
C -> (D) Materialism (Physicalism) is false
•• Begging the question by saying there is something that is not materialist