Free Will and Determinism Flashcards
What is metaphysical freedom?
The freedom in ability to make choices
Define the Hard Determinist definition of free will and their stance
- 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
Define the Soft Determinist definition of free will and their stance
- 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
Define the Libertarian definition of free will and their stance
- Free will is where X could have done otherwise in identical conditions
- There is free will because X would have done otherwise if they had wanted/chosen to
Define determinism
View that all events, including human actions, are the necessary cause and inevitable consequence of preceding causal events.
Define fatalism (as opposed to determinism)
Certain events are predestined to occur at time Tx , regardless of any preceding events (usually implies an interventionist deity exists).
What is the Principle of Sufficient Reason
Every event can be completely and sufficiently explained. There is nothing inexplicable even if all answers have not been found yet.
What is the Principle of Universal Causation?
No physical event in the universe is uncaused. Everything that happens happens because it is caused by something else.
What is Laplace’s demon?
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.
How does Libet’s Experiment provide support for the HD?
Neuroscience experiment in 1980s showing humans feel the urge to perform an action before their brains become active.
Define Physical Determinism
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).
What does Holbach assert against HD?
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.
HD response to physicalism asserting mind is not physical?
Ignoring physical, determinism is the belief every event (mental or physical) is caused to happen: causal determinism.
What is an issue (1) with causation? (Cause of the Universe)
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
What is Hume’s empirical objection to causation?
- 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
How does quantum mechanics undermine HD?
- 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
How does Kane argue against HD?
He claims that there are “quantum moments” in the brain which allow for genuinely self forming acts which are required for the existence of free will.
What is the Principal of Alternate Possibilities (PAP)?
A person has free will iff, the person could have done otherwise in precisely the same conditions.
Who are some philosophers who believe physical determinism is true and that humans have free will (soft determinists)?
- Aristotle
- Hume
How does the SD uphold humans have free will?
They assert that “free will” means freedom from physical and psychological restraint
How does Aristotle argue that we have free will?
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).
How does Frankfurt explain humans to have free will?
- 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
How does causal determinism differ from physical determinism?
Unlike the latter, causal determinism upholds mental events as well as physical events are caused.
If HD are correct, what are the implications for morality and why?
- 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
