Free Will & determinism Flashcards
Define determinism
past affects future , the specific events in the past necessitate the specific events and circumstances in the future: implications- our future is already determined (fate) - no responsibility
define free will
freedom of choice: freedom of wants/desire: freedom from constraints
define Compatibilism
free will & determinism are compatible> we can have both
define incompatibilism
free will and determinism are in conflict
what is surface freedom?
“everyday freedoms to buy what we want, walk where we please, take buses when we want to without anything preventing us”- the power or will of doing anything we want without constraints
What is the main issue with classical compatibilism?
The freedom to do otherwise means that you would have done otherwise( nothing is there to stop you)if you had desired to do other wise. They argue that the freedom to do otherwise has this conditional meaning (you would if you wanted to) then the freedom to do otherwise would be compatible with determinism
what is absence of constraints?
there are no constraints or impediments preventing me from doing what I want to do
what is metaphysical deep freedom?
an illusion dreamt up by philosophers - an illusory freedom of the will that we cannot have
what is desire?
something you want
How does the notion of responsibility figure into our discussions about free will?
to what extent is someone responsible for what they do- the notion of responsibility figures into our discussion about free will because it helps determine whether someone did free will on their on or did outside sources influence it
How do the ways in which we think of the past, present, and future change for determinism?
there is nothing we can now do to change the fact that our present actions are the necessary consequences of the past and the laws of nature
what is the garden of forking paths?
different possible paths into the future
