Free will and determinism Flashcards
What is free will?
The notion that humans can make choices and are not determined by biological or external forces.
What is determinism?
When an individuals behaviour is controlled by internal or external forced rather than free will.
What is hard determinism?
Free will is impossible as our behaviour is entirely controlled by events beyond our control.
What is soft determinism?
Behaviour can be determined by conscious choices as well as being determined.
What is biological determinism?
The belief that behaviour is caused by biological influences we cannot control.
What is environmental determinism?
The belief that behaviour is caused by features of the environment.
What is psychic determinism?
The belief that behaviour is caused by unconscious conflicts we cannot control.
What is the case for determinism?
Determinism allows laws to be placed in psychology and makes it more scientific. Furthermore, it makes prediction of behaviour easier and drugs have been developed. In terms of mental illness, behaviour must be determined as no one would choose to have a mental illness.
What is the case against determinism?
The determinist stance does not work with our legal system as we cannot be found guilty of behaviour if we are born with it. Also, determinism is unfalsifiable.
What is the case for free will?
Every day experiences give the impressions that we are exercising free will. This gives face validity. Furthermore, by thinking we have free will it has a positive impact on our lives.
What is the case against free will?
Neurological studies found that we make decisions in our brain up to 10 seconds before we are aware, which means we have no free will. This shows that most experiences are determined before we are aware of them.
