Free will vs determinism

Question 1

Define free will

Answer 1

the idea that individuals can choose how they want to behave and so have responsibility for their own behaviour

Question 2

Types of determinism

Answer 2

Hard determinism - all human behaviour is viewed as a consequence of factors beyond our personal control

Soft determinism - human behaviour is viewed as being outside of our control to an extent but where people can demonstrate some free will

Biological determinism - determined by our biology

Environmental determinism - determined by factors in our environment

Question 3

Positions of free will/determinism debate

Answer 3

1) our behaviour is determined by factors outside our control e.g.. our genes or environment (determinism)

2) we act according to our own wished and take responsibility for our behaviour (free will)

Question 4

Strengths of Free Will

Answer 4

1) allows individuals to change or give think they can so increases motivation

2) encourages personal responsibility

Question 5

Weaknesses of Free Will

Answer 5

1) free will is an illusion
2) difficult to measure free will + its subjective
3) not scientific

Question 6

Strengths of determinism

Answer 6

1) can lead to interventions
> depression caused by low serotonin that can be treated with drugs that raise serotonin levels

2) scientific approach as it looks at cause and effect

Question 7

Weaknesses of determinism

Answer 7

1) Legal implications
> criminals argue they have no control of behaviour

2) Reductionist
> behaviour is complex and cant be determined by one thing

Question 8

Link to other debates

Answer 8

Nature/nurture - deterministic to say genes/enviro causes behaviour as outside of our control

Reductionism/Holism - deterministic to view behaviour as being related to one cause