Free will vs Determinism Flashcards
what is free will?
suggests that as human beings we are self-determined to choose our thoughts and actions. biological/environmental forces rejected
introductory paragraph
this debate is concerned with whether our thoughts and behaviours are influenced by forces beyond our control or a product of choice
what is determinism?
suggests that free will has no place in explaining human behaviour. our behaviour is controlled by another force, everything has a cause
two types of determinism
- hard
- soft
difference between hard and soft determinism?
hard determinism suggests that all behaviour has a cause dictated by internal/external forces we cannot control, it has a causal explnantion and is scientific whereas soft determinism suggests there is some room for manovere, we have some conscious control over way behave
subtypes of determinism
- biological
- environmental
- psychic
term: biological determinism
belief that our behaviour is caused by biological influences that we cannot control
term: environmental determinism
belief that our behaviour is caused by environmental influences that we cannot control
term: psychic determinism
belief that our behaviour is caused by unconscious conflicts we cannot control
example of biological determinism
- aggression due to testerone
- depression caused by low serotonin (psychopathology)
example of environmental determinism
- skinner- rats behaviour influenced by food (approaches)
example of psychic determinism
- freud unconscious eg sucking pen in oral stage.