Free will v Determinism

Question 1

Free will

Answer 1

Everything happens by chance - no human behaviour is predetermined. Humans have free will or freedom to choose how they behaviour

Question 2

Determinism

Answer 2

No humans have a choice in his or her behaviour, personality, intelligence etc. They are caused by our biology, upbringing and environment which we have no control over.

Question 3

Strengths of determinism

Answer 3

Emphasis on cause and effect. More scientific isolates variables. Tries to examine things under a scientific condition. Society is more willing to accept findings.

Question 4

Weaknesses of determinism

Answer 4

Reductionist, implies we can predict behaviour, does not count for anomalies or individual differences and leaves us with no responsibility for our actions

Question 5

Strengths of free will

Answer 5

Individlual responsibility, emphasis on the indiviual, suggest behaviour is free

Question 6

Weaknesses of free will

Answer 6

Unscientifc, behaviour can’t be predicted or objectivey measured. No clear definition of free will