Libertarianism

Question 1

basic points of Libertarianism

Answer 1

• we are free moral agents
• influenced by nothing and no one
• moral responsibility for actions
• free will
• we carve out own paths

Question 2

plato

Answer 2

‘your destiny shall not be allotted to you’

Question 3

what cannot be applied to human behaviour in lib

Answer 3

causal factors

Question 4

Peter Van Inwagen

Answer 4

analogy of the road- lib is like travelling down aa road and choosing which turning to take, whereas determinism is like travelling down a road with no turnings- just one fixed path

Question 5

ideas that support the idea of libertarianism

Answer 5

we feel guilt- if we did not feel guilt to would prove we are not responsible for our actions

Question 6

positives of libertarianism

Answer 6

• recognises that humans have intuition-> we like to feel like we are free
• personal responsibility under pins our main systems of ethics and laws ( Anscombe believes that in a secular society it is important to recognise this- VE)
• in h determinism it is not a strong enough argument to suggest that event A causes event B –> libertairnsm causes individuals to take responsibility
• if an individual can feel sorry for what they have den they may change and be better members of the community.

Question 7

weaknesses of libertarianism

Answer 7

• locke’s analogy of a man locked in a room without knowing he is locked. Just because we feel free, doesn’t mean we are –> feeling free is not a strength of the theory
• if we have the power to choose, then how do we choose Criteria?
• very few would agree that past experiences, emotion, beliefs and values have no influence on us what so ever

Question 8

Dawkins

Answer 8

we can override biology with free will

Question 9

an example of how lib is very different to determinism

Answer 9

a kleptomaniac may be inclined to steal, but has the choice not to, therefore they are still morally responsible for stealing