Free Will And Determinism: Evaluate

Question 1

Scientific Determinism:

Dennett (2003)

Answer 1

argus that there’s no such thing as total determinism

the butterfly effect = very small changes in initial conditions resulting in major changes

causal relationships are probabilistic rather than determinist, they merely increase the probability of something occurring and thus determinism oversimplifies behaviour and is therefore unrealistic

Question 2

Genetic determination:

Answer 2

It is doubtful that 100% genetic determination will ever be found for any behaviour

twin studies that compare identical twins found about 80% similarity on intelligence suggesting that genes do you not in entirely determine behaviour

Question 3

The illusion of free will:

Skinner

Answer 3

S: argues that being able to decide between different courses of action is not free will but it may give us the illusion of having free will

for instance, a person might choose to buy particular car, but in fact these choices are determined by previous reinforcement experiences

Question 4

Culturally relative:

Answer 4

The idea of self-determination maybe a culturally relative concept appropriate for individualistic societies only

research has shown that collectivist cultures place greater value on behaviour determined by group needs