free will and determinism Flashcards
what dose the free will and determinism debate question
is our behaviour a matter of free will or are we a product of a set of internal/external influences that determine who we are and what we do.
what dose the biological approach say.
that causes are internal
what dose the behaviourist approach say.
causes are external
what dose the humanistic approach say.
embraces concept of free will.
define free will
the notion that humans can make choices and their behaviours/thoughts are not determined by biological or external factors.
what concept dose not deny biological and environmental factors and that we can rather reject them if we wish.
free will.
quote from free will.
‘we are in control of our thoughts and behaviours.
define determinism.
view that an individuals behaviours are shaped or controlled by internal/external forces, rather than free will.
what are the two versions of determinism
hard determinism and soft determinism.
define hard determinism
suggests that all human behaviour has a cause ( internal or external factors ) and it should be possible to identify and describe these causes.
define soft determinism.
all human action has a cause but people have freedom to make choices within a restricted range of options. (restricted free will)
what approach is soft determinism an important feature of
cognitive approach .
what did philosopher William James say about soft determinism.
James (1890) thought that, whilst it may be the job of scientists to explain what determines our behaviour, this does not detract from the freedom we have to make rational conscious choises in everyday situations.
what are the three types of determinism
biological, psychic and environmental.
define biological determinism
belief that behaviour is caused by biological influences we cannot control.
The biological approach emphasises the role of biological determinism in behaviour.
