Libertarianism Flashcards
E.g. of praiseworthy and blameworthy
If forced to rob a bank or give money to charity
Important relationship…
Between freedom and moral responsibility
In ignorance…
If it has an unpredictable immoral effect not blameworthy e.g. War general sends troops into a valley he thinks is safe NOT blameworthy if there’s is a secret ambush that kills his troops
If cosmetics company does not test a chemical and it causes harmful side effects, is blameworthy
What could lead to a person not being entirely morally responsible?
Drugs, alcohol or some other disorientating influence e.g emotional trauma or a psychological condition. E.g a drunk person who accidentally runs over pedestrian not as morally responsible as a sober person who deliberately runs down an innocent- persons intention is important
What does Immanuel Kant say to do with libertarianism?
Ought implies can
What you feel you should do you can do - humans have free will, they have choice
Libertarian
Humans are free to make rational choices. Without freedom, the possibility of making moral choices is denied
What sets us apart from animals who act purely on instinct
Belief that we are free…
Could be an illusion
Genetics and the environment
Curtails our freedom
We are far more programmed than we think
Nature/nurture - genetic heritage and social upbringing/ environment
Gay gene/warrior gene
Psychopaths brains structured differently
HOWEVER although have a biological predisposition, may have enough self restraint to refrain from acting that way
Self restraint and willpower
Predisposition does not necessarily lead to action
May have some kind of genetic origin but often moulded from other factors such as religious/ ethical beliefs or psychological / emotional capacities
Inner strengths
Perhaps some people are more cautious/ risk averse
BF Skinner
BF Skinner
Does not take into account what science is telling us about human moral behaviour. Critical of attempts to control people by changing attitudes, building a sense of responsibility or inspiring self respect.
Fooled by an unscientific, old fashioned view of human beings and that we’re in control of our actions. - not in control of our behaviour, environment has shaped us
Living in society
Form certain agreed rules of behaviour - social contract
Benefits but restrictions
Without rules - law of the jungle, survival of the fittest, free for all
Predisposition does not necessarily…
Lead to action…. May have self restraint and willpower. May be tempted to do certain things that are judged immoral but may restrain from performing that action.. Some genetic origin but may be down to religious or ethical beliefs PSYCHOLOGICAL OR EMOTIONAL CAPACITIES - inner strengths
What did the psychologist B.F. Skinner say?
BEYOND FREEDOM AND DIGNITY
challenges idea of freedom
Critical of attempts to control people by changing attitudes - no basis in science
Does not show an understanding of the impact that the environment has on human behaviour. The environment is full of factors that exercise degrees of control over humans.
Living in society
Individuals living in society form certain agreed rules of behaviour (social contract)
An arrangement where individuals gain benefits from living within a group at the cost of some limitations/restrictions.
Freedoms and rights given up in the interest of social order
Without such an agreement would survival of the fittest apply, law of the jungle, free for all?
Civilisation comes about by people agreeing to some basic rules of conduct
Within social contract tensions can emerge over how much diversity is allowed
E.g. Is the society tolerant to different religions and political opinions? Are certain groups affected e.g. Women’s access to work
People may find themselves under pressure to change/ confirm or be forced out of the group e.g. National socialism 1930’s Germany. Wanted radically pure state. People who were different were forced out of the group e.g. Inappropriate gender orientation, disability, racial impurity. Interests of the group were placed above the interests of the individual
Conflict of free wills
E.g. Smoked salmon two hands go to take
Or walking down the street someone has to move otherwise there will be a collision
Politeness expresses a social value which everyone sticks to, even if there are no policemen enforcing the rules
What does the term cosmopolitan mean?
A society that is accepting of groups and individuals from different cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds within society
Libertarianism
The personality and the moral self:
2 different philosophical topics:
Philosophy of the mind - belief we are free and morally responsible
Political philosophy - explores the relationship between the individual and the community or state in terms of the rights and liberties that each has.
Who is the main influential figure for libertarianism?
John Stuart Mill
John Stuart mill
Is an influential thinker in libertarianism
Believes individuals should not be crushed by the will of the mob
“If all mankind minus one were of one opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person than he, if he had the power would be justified in silencing mankind.”
“The worth of the state, in the long run, is the worth of the individuals composing it’
‘The mere example of non-conformity, the mere refusal to bend the knee to custom, is itself a service’
‘The liberty of the individual must be thus far limited; he must not make himself a nuisance to other people’
Individuality is what the good life is about. Individuality means human development. Freedom marks out our moral capacity and our personality. You are a result of particular choices that have been made.
St. Paul
Believed conscience is within the centre of the soul
Roman Catholic Church
Adopted Aquinas’ view that not following your conscience is alway wrong
John Henry Newman
Catholic Cardinal.
To follow conscience is to follow a divine law as it is a messenger from God
‘I toast the pope but I toast conscience first’
Ignore the Catholic Church when
Conscience goes against it
Conscience is more important
Conscience preventing free will
Sigmund Freud -
Human psyche inspired by powerful instinctive desires that had to be satisfied. Children quickly Learn that the world restricts that. Human ego takes on the realities in the world super ego internalises and reflects anger and disapproval of others
Guilty conscience is created which grows into life and a power of its own
What factor is BF Skinner under?
Self restraint and willpower
What is a hard determinist?
Those who believe that all human actions are predetermined and so we have no moral responsibility. All human actions are effects caused by prior influences
What is a libertarian?
A person who maintains that we have complete free will and so therefore are morally responsible
What is a soft determinist
Someone who believes that some actions are predetermined but we do still have free will and so are morally responsible for our actions
What does the term cosmopolitan mean?
Accepting of groups of individuals from different cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds within society
What is an incompatibilist?
Someone who holds the view that free will is incompatible with determinism. Those with the view that free will is compatible with determinism are called compatibilits
Who believed the conscience is within the centre of the soul?
St Paul
Who adopted aquinas’s view that not following your conscience is always wrong?
Roman Catholic Church
Quotes from John Stuart Mill
‘The mere example of non conformity, the mere refusal to bend the knee to custom, is itself a service’
‘If all of mankind minus one were of one opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silence that one, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind’
The strength and value of the community/state were provided by the individuals within it:
‘The worth of the state in the long run, is the worth of the individuals composing it’
People must not harm others:
‘The liberty of the individual must be thus far limited; he must not make himself a nuisance to other people’
‘The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilised community against his will is to prevent harm to others’
