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Theology > Free will and Determinism > Flashcards

Free will and Determinism Flashcards

1
Q

Define the Hard Determinist definition of free will and their stance

A
  • Free will is where X could have done otherwise in identical conditions
  • There is no free will because determinism is true: all thoughts/choices/actions are the inevitable effects of a causal chain
  • Humans are not metaphysically free
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2
Q

Define the Libertarian definition of free will and their stance

A
  • Free will is where X could have done otherwise in identical conditions had they wanted to
  • There is free will because X would have done otherwise if they had wanted/chosen to
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3
Q

Define the Soft determinist definition of free will and their stance

A
  • Free will is where X could have done otherwise had they wanted to = willingness
  • We are determined to act in accordance with our reasons/desires/beliefs and this is to will freely= determinism is essential for free will
    If you acted as you wished you are free.
    If you think you are free you are free, even if you couldn’t have done anything else.
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4
Q

Define determinism

A

View that all events, including human actions, are the necessary cause and inevitable consequence of preceding causal events.

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5
Q

What is the Principle of Sufficient Reason

A

Every event can be completely and sufficiently explained. There is nothing inexplicable even if all answers have not been found yet.

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6
Q

Define fatalism (as opposed to determinism)

A

Certain events are predestined to occur at time Tx , regardless of any preceding events (usually implies an interventionist deity exists).

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7
Q

What is the Principle of Universal Causation?

A

No physical event in the universe is uncaused. Everything that happens happens because it is caused by something else.

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8
Q

What is Laplace’s demon?

A

Laplace believed so strongly in physical determinism that he thought an intellect with the precise details of the universe at any given state could work out precisely what would happen next as well as what has happened in the past.

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9
Q

How does Libet’s Experiment provide support for the HD?

A

Neuroscience experiment in 1980s showing humans feel the urge to perform an action before their brains become active.

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10
Q

Define Physical Determinism

A

The view that the world is entirely made up of matter and that the laws of nature can be applied to everything, therefore everything that happens is pre-determined. (Excludes mental events).

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11
Q

What does Holbach assert against HD?

A

He asserts that humans and the world are made completely of matter (physicalism). But the self/mind could be non-physical and so not subject to the laws of nature. Physical determinism doesn’t apply to thoughts, desires etc. because they aren’t physical.

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12
Q

HD response to physicalism asserting mind is not physical?

A

Ignoring physical, determinism is the belief every event (mental or physical) is caused to happen: causal determinism.

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13
Q

What is an issue (1) with causation? (Cause of the Universe)

A

From observing some events as predictable does not mean every event is and so has a cause e.g. How does the causal chain begin if there is a 1st cause? An infinity of causes is incoherent because if time is infinite there would be no present. Big 💥?

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14
Q

What is Hume’s empirical objection to causation?

A
  • Causation is not observable
  • When two snooker balls collide we see A hit B then B moves
  • What we see is consistent with other explanations (e.g. magnets moving the balls from underneath the table)
  • If sense impressions are identical in both cases, Hume argues a “cause” is not ever experienced through the senses
  • We infer the ball “causes” the other to move because we have seen this series of events cause many times
  • Hume argues all we can say about the concept of causation is that it refers to the constant conjunction between two events
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15
Q

How does quantum physics undermine HD?

Even if we can predict on macro… we cant predict micro?

A
  • INDERTERMINISM
  • According to QM, the ability to predict events is not true of the microscopic world
  • There is a probability certain events will follow others however this is statistically determined not implicit of an underlying mechanism
  • Therefore, even if every event is affected by previous ones, it doesn’t follow that the previous events necessitates a particular outcome or that the result is inevitable/caused
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16
Q

What is the Principal of Alternate Possibilities (PAP)?

A

A person has free will if, the person could have done otherwise in precisely the same conditions.

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17
Q

Who are some philosophers who believe physical determinism is true and that humans have free will (soft determinists)?

A 
Aristotle 
Hume
Frankfurt
Kant
Nielsen
Ayer
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18
Q

How does the SD uphold humans have free will?

A

They assert that “free will” means freedom from physical and psychological restraint

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19
Q

How does Aristotle argue that we have free will?

A

He claims that our actions are determined internally (hopes/beliefs/desires) or externally. If internally, then we are choosing freely and have full responsibility for our own actions (agent causation).

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20
Q

How does Frankfurt explain humans to have free will?

A
  • First order desire: an urge for something (I want a cigarette)
  • Second order desire: the object is the first (I want to not want a cigarette)
  • Frankfurt (and Plato and Aristotle) take the ability to impose the 2nd order desire as free will

Frankfurt Cases

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21
Q

How does causal determinism differ from physical determinism?

A

Unlike the latter, causal determinism upholds mental events as well as physical events are caused.

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22
Q

If HD are correct, what are the implications for morality and why?

A
  • Humans cannot control their “moral compasses”
  • A moral agent making a decision to do something immoral cannot be blames as HD believe humans don’t have FW to make decisions
  • Therefore, murder, rape etc. are indirect reactions rather than actions
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23
Q

How does the kleptomaniac support SD?

A
  • Take a regular thief and a kleptomaniac
  • The former will deliberate whether or not to steal while the latter’s deliberations are not relevant to his behaviour because whatever he “decides” to do, he will steal
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24
Q

What is Nielsen’s definition of freedom and how does the kleptomaniac support this?

A
  • The capability to act as moral agents without compulsion and acting in certain situations in ways that they could have otherwise acted differently to. We are free if we act according to our own decisions
  • Kleptomaniac eg. highlights the spectrum of constraint and so of freedom: there must be times where we can act freely
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25
Q

How do SD reject the PAP?

A

The PAP doesn’t conflict with the concept of human freedom because it doesn’t involve constraint or compulsion.

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26
Q

How does Ayer’s “Verification Principle” give support for SD?

A
  • His VP: statements are only meaningful iff they are either tautologically true or empirically verifiable
  • “Metaphysical freedom” is therefore meaningless as by definition, acts are caused rather than free from causation
  • The notion of an “uncaused act”, which HD require for freedom, is unverifiable
  • Only the SD understanding of freedom is meaningful

To define “alternative possibilities” empirically, you assuming free will.

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27
Q

What is the outline of Sartre’s Libertarian stance?

A
  • Existence precedes essence
  • We exist first and make choices
  • Otherwise, we would be no different to physical object
  • nothing prior can define your goals, hopes and dreams. only you once born can define your essence.
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28
Q

How is Sartre’s point criticised?

A
  • Deny that we have no essence

- The brain defines the behaviour so is our essence

29
Q

Ontological Theory/Epistemic principle

A

Everything can be predicted because everything is caused. if you know the starting conditions and relevant laws.

30
Q

Pierre Laplace Quote

A

“We may regard the present state of the universe as the effect of its past and the cause of its future”

31
Q

.

A

.

32
Q

Psychological determinism

A
  • Behaviour is predictable as humans live in a determined universe
  • You can shape human behaviour using reward and punishment
  • Although you are not in charge of your actions we still must reward and punish to protect the innocent and have an effect the part of your behaviour we can change.
33
Q

Criticisms of normal hard determinism (ie not theological)

A
  • no moral accountability
  • it is impossible to witness all events to know all the circumstances and therefore to be able to predict (psychological)
  • Constant conjunction, pool table analogy (correlation is not causation) how can we be sure x caused y.
  • Determination dilemma; if all events are random we still have no free will.
  • What was the first cause? 13.8 Bn years ago?

-Lorenz Butterfly Effect - Chaos theory; flap of butterfly’s wing could cause a hurricane but we wouldn’t suspect

34
Q

Hume’s quote criticising HD

A

“We know nothing farther of causation of any kind other than merely the constant conjunction of objects”

35
Q

Impact of those criticisms of HD

A

not that detrimental as they critique Physical determinism that everything is caused and we can therefore predict the outcomes, but neither that or Hume’s critique disprove actual determination. They only disprove our knowledge of it.

36
Q

Theological Determinism

A

If God is omniscient then he must know everything that will happen in the world and therefore we can have no free will because he knows what we will do.

37
Q

bible quote that supports theological determinism

A

“Before I formed you in the womb, before you were born, I set you apart” Jeremiah 1:5

38
Q

Small critique of Theological Determinism based on Jesus and Adam and eve

A

some say we must have free will because Jesus’ human side decided to be crucified and the act of eating the apple was an act of disobedience.

39
Q

What position does open theism argue for and who argues this position?

A

Libertarian Free will - John Sanders

40
Q

What is the open theism argument?

A

God is omniscient but does not exercise control, leaving it open for humans to make decisions.
All one can know is what is true and only events that have happened can be proven true. Therefore there is no limit on God’s omniscience - it would be illogical and impossible for him to know these events until they happen.

41
Q

Critique of open theism

A

Lots of Christians say this undermines God’s omniscience.

Would limit God’s knowledge to the time of creation and then how could we be living to God’s plan

42
Q

What does Derk Pereboom argue for?

A

No free will.
We should learn to live without free will or moral responsibility.
Thinks we shouldn’t be punished or praised but yet moral principles exist.

43
Q

What does Sorabji argue for?

A
  1. Strong Theological Determinism.

God’s knowledge is causal, perfect and immutable. We can’t have freedom otherwise God’s omniscience would be questioned.

44
Q

Calvinism

A

No Free will. TULIP.

Predestination - God knows who will go to heaven and hell (double destination) You have no free will its all God.

45
Q

Explain TULIP

A

T-Total depravity, no ability to make decisions for yourself, all God’s work

U-Unconditional Election; Going to heaven and hell is predestined, you cant earn heaven. its not based on merit

L-Limited Atonement; Jesus’ atonement was only for the people going to heaven

I- Irresistible grace; Once God has elected you - you cant resist or refuse. You will be Good.

P- Perseverance of the saints; You can’t do anything to lose your elect.

46
Q

Boethius’ opinion

A

The only thing anyone can have knowledge of is now.
We can have memories of the past but we cant know what will happen.
Nothing ever stays the same long enough to know it.

Boethius therefore says that God is outside of time. In God’s perspective there is no time and therefore it is not like he knows something before he looks down and sees everything happening simultaneously.
He can see past present future but to God it is just now.

47
Q

Critique of Boethius’ view

A

Are forced then to say time is an illusion?
•If God is outside of time, can his knowledge really be exhaustive (can G know my feelings as I watch something unfold in it’s normal sequence?

•Can we really make sense of this view at all? What does it mean to be outside of time - seems unfathomable to us.

48
Q

What is Molinism’s position on free will and who advocates for it past and present?

A

Argues for Free Will with Middle Knowledge. Luis De Molina originally and now William Lane Craig

49
Q

Explain Molinism in more detail.

A

There are infinite number of universes where every possibility for every human has been played out. God then picks which universe that will have the best result.

We still have freewill because we choose what we want and Gods knowledge does not cause our actions, God’s knowledge is A-causal and therefore does not cause our actions.

50
Q

What is middle knowledge?

A

Knowledge of counterfactuals or alternative possibilities. God’s consideration of other universes

51
Q

Critique of Molinism

A

Not really excepted in mainstream church as there is no evidence for middle knowledge in bible.
Is this knowledge even possible?
Don’t we end up in same situation - When God picks our world he is picking whats going to happen.

52
Q

Who is famous libertarian?and book

A

CA Campbell. Book; In defence of free will.

53
Q

Campbell’s two conditions for Free will existing

A

1- Frankfurt’s Principle of Alternate possibilities (being able to act differently) and being solely responsible for your action, no external pressure (agent v event causation)

54
Q

Campbell on our character

A

our character and personality are shaped by both genes and upbringing. Our desires are easy to give into but being a moral agent takes effort to rise above temptation.
He does not believe free will results in chaos. Because our characters are formed and therefore we are predictable to an extent.

55
Q

Difference between monists and dualists

A

Dualists - human mind is not part of the physical world and therefore the mind is not bound by the laws of nature. The universe is made up of 2 distinct substances.

Monism - People who believe the universe is entirely physical – materialists. And people who believe the universe is made up purely of ideas – Idealists.

56
Q

Critique of Dualist position

A

Incoherence of Interactionism. How can the two substances interact when they are so radically different in nature. How can the mind be outside the laws of nature but still be able to tell the body to act? If the mind can make decisions freely but the body can’t act freely surely, it’s not freewill.

57
Q

primary mover unmoved argument (criticism of determinism)

A

if the universe had a beginning then it would seem to be the case that there must have been some events that are uncaused. The first event must have not been caused otherwise it would not be the first event. If the event did happen without a cause it would have been causa sui (caused itself) some use God as a response to this argument.

58
Q

Gap in Universal Causation

A

Libertarians believe there is a gap in the chain of causation, humans can act, not resulting from a previous cause.

59
Q

Agent Causation (primary mover unmoved)

A

An Agent (conscious being) can interfere in a chain of causation (which inanimate objects are stuck in) and the chain will be changed forever. Therefore we must have freewill because otherwise inanimate objects would never move or change which we know they do.

60
Q

Sartre quote about existing and then essence

A

“man first of all exists, encounters himself, surges up in the world - and defines himself afterwards.”

61
Q

Compatibilism

A

All actions are caused but when the causes are internal we can have moral responsibility.

62
Q

Harry Frankfurt critique of PAP

A

Frankfurt Cases (or Locke’s Locked room). If you think you have a choice and act one way, eg voting Democrat but you in fact didn’t know that if you had tried to vote a different way, you would have been stopped.

Frankfurt argues that although you had no choice in either circumstance. You were clearly responsible for your action as you acted how you wanted to act.

63
Q

Hume’s opinion on free will and our character

A

Free will is an illusion
Free will would imply randomness but randomness is seen no where in nature. Eg perfect distance from sun

We have a mix of internal and external causes. All laws are founded on rewards and punishments, these have influence on the mind to produce good and deter evil.

Behaviour is determined and predictable because after centuries of reward and punishment, people have internalised the previous standards of behaviour. (external factors)

64
Q

Hume on moral responsibility

A

Men cannot be blamed or held morally accountable for actions outside of character. If you act ignorantly or causally you are not responsible.

You are only responsible for the psychological tendencies (the internal causes; wants and desires) Since we shape our character, if we act within the character, we have shaped, we hold moral accountability.

65
Q

Hume on lack of alternative Possibilities

A 
In soft determinism you don’t have a set of alternative possibilities to choose from, you will always pick one thing because you will always want one thing. I.e. To do what you want free from cohesion or restraint. 
Negative Liberty (freedom from) Positive Liberty (Freedom to)
66
Q

Criticism of Hume’s position

A

Critics argue that rather than dealing with the real debate, Hume just redefines the meaning of freedom from metaphysical to political.

Hard determinists believe that soft determinists underestimate the power of causation. Libertarians would say the moral self is always free and SD argument undermines the freedom of the moral self.

67
Q

Kant quote criticising Hume

A

“Wretched Subterfuge”

68
Q

AJ Ayer book + argument + Nielsen(shares this opinion)

A

(Freedom and Necessity 1954)
Argues that to be able to debate it we must first give it philosophical meaning. It can only be meaningful if it can be verified empirically or analytically.

States that metaphysical freewill cannot be proved analytically or empirically and therefore only political freewill has any meaning.
He believes that you can only be held morally responsible when you could have acted otherwise.

69
Q

Internal and External Factors

A

Patricia Churchland – some actions are completely out of our control; some we are partly in control of and some we are fully in control of. “Asking am I free?” is the wrong question, instead we should ask “How much control do I have?” and the more control you have, the more responsibility you have.

Theology (7 decks)

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