Libertarianism Flashcards
Who came up with the analogy of a fork in the road
Peter Van Inwagen
Explain the analogy of Inwagen
Free will is incompatible with determinism. We consciously make choices in life to take paths that we wish to follow
Consequent argument
Choices are possible for us to make. If there were no choices then there would be no fork in the road and there would be only one response possible
Criticism of the consequent argument
Our experiences tells us that we do indeed make choices. If we were completely determined by our genes and our environment then there could be no fork on the road. This assumes that our lives are like roads and that movement in life is always straightforwards
Personality
Empirical concept, anything that is to do with human senses. Governed by causal laws. Formed by heredity and environment and limits the choices one has
The difference between the moral self and personality
ethical concept. Distinguish between duty and desire. We decide what to do in situations of our moral choice. Separate from our personality
Give a quote of Plato
Your destiny should not be alloted to you, but you shall choose it for yourselves
Explain Plato’s quote
a person is a free agent. Morally responsible for those actions
What is conscience?
The moral self. Separate entity within us. We should act in a way that fits our principles and beliefs
How did Aquinas explained conscience?
The voice of our trueselves. It is a device or faculty for distinguishing right from wrong rather than an inner knowledge
What does conscience mean for libertarians?
It enables the decision-making process to function based upon the belief that what we are choosing is right or good. This is what makes us a human being
What does conscience mean for the religious?
The inner voice of God. Part of becoming our trueselves is to discover, through reason, the natural law established by God and to follow this.
Give a quote from the New Testament by St Jerome
The spark of conscience with which we discern what we sin
Explain St Jerome’s argument
We have the power to distinguish good from evil. It is the capacity to make judgements and a power of the soul
What is the synderesis rule?
Aquinas thought that people basically tended towards the good and away from evil. The reason people sometimes did evil deeds was because they had made a mistake
Give a quote of Aquina’s definition of conscience
‘Reason making right decisions.’ Conscience deliberates between good and bad
Elements of decision making process / Difference between conscience and synderesis
Synderesis is right reason, the awareness of the moral principle to do good and evil. Conscientia distinguishes between right and wrong and makes the moral decision
Give a quote from Joseph Butler
Had it strength as it has right; had it power as it had manifest authority, it would absolutely govern the world
Explain Butler’s argument
Conscience gives us instant intuitive judgements about what we should do. It is the final decision maker. It directs a human being towards loving others and away from selfish acts. In this way, conscience can never be wrong. This is what God has given us in our human nature. It instructs us to act in a certain way is adequate justification to behave in this way.
Conscience as a moral guide. Give a quote from St Paul talking about conscience
“They can demonstrate the effects of the law engraved on their hearts, to which their own conscience bears witness”
Explain St Paul’s quote
Aquinas also taught that conscience can never motivate you to do something that goes against what is morally right as determined by natural law. Consciences should be informed, as ignorance can lead conscience astray
What did Sigmund Freud believe about conscience?
Limits our freedom. Free will restricted.Human psyche was inspired by inaction five desires that had to be satisfied. Humans create the ego, which takes account of the realities of the world and society. A superego reflects anger and disapproval of others. It creates a guilty conscience
What are the two types of conscience according to psychologists who amended Freud’s theory?
Mature and immature conscience
What is a mature conscience?
Healthy, ego’s reflection about the best way of achieving happiness. Acts on things of value. Concerned what is right and wrong and it looks out to the world, developing new insights into situations
What is an immature conscience?
Super ego. Feelings of guilt, prerational stage by parents and schooling. Inspires actions to gain approval. Concerned with feelings
How can mature and immature consciences conflict?
The super ego reflects human social nature. We belong to a group and our life depends on our relationship with others. The mature conscience claims autonomy, the individual searches for self fulfilment.
Example that challenges the use of conscience to justify free will
I may feel guilty about going shopping on a Sunday, because it was instilled in me as a child that this was wrong, although I no longer believe that it’s wrong
What’s a causally undetermined choice?
When a moral choice is made, there is no overriding power making the person choose one or another
What does Cardinal Newman say about conscience?
Despite being Roman Catholic and following the Pope’s guidance, the conscience has the authority of superseding this due to the fact that it is given by God
Give a quote from Cardinal Newman?
I toast the Pope but I toast conscience first
Is Roman Catholic compatible with Cardinal Newman’s teaching about conscience?
Yes. It recognises the crucial role and function of conscience by allowing believers the freedom not to be forced against what their conscience tells them
What matters for libertarians when making choices?
Choices are causally undetermined
Give a quote from David Hume
By Liberty, we can only mean a power of acting or not acting, according to the determinations of the will
Which concept traditionally explain the causally undetermined choice ?
This has been explained by the idea of dualism
What is dualism?
Body-soul divide
Give an example of the link between dualism and free will
Descartes believed that the mind or soul was distinct from the body and physical world. If an entity is distinct from the world then its activity would not be subject to the laws of nature that govern physical events. The soul or mind would interact with the physical world through influencing the brain’s activity, allowing free choice to take place.
What does Hume’s quote mean?
We are not compelled to act by forces outside our moral consciousness. Moral actions are not chance or random events, but result from the values and character of the moral agent
Example of a non ethical situation that proves that we have free will
If I am brought up among criminals, I may be predisposed to think that stealing is acceptable, but moral perception can present the idea that it is wrong. Some people give in to temptation while other hold out
Pros of libertarianism
- we do have choices in life and we can choose different things. Eg. Stop believing in God
- advocates argue that the individual has a value which is measure in terms of their distinctiveness and creativity rather than the extent to which the fit in with others. It limits and clarifies the occasions when freedom should be restricted. Rather than saying ‘What should we allow people to do?’, they start from the perspective ‘What if any limits should we place on people’s freedom?’
Cons of libertarianism
- surely actions are caused by something. E.g. Murder/ going to uni
- difficult to say that there are no causes beyond our control. E.g. Driving drunk/ schoolgirl attacking another girl
- soft determinists think that libertarians do not fully understand the significance of human psychology and that free choices cannot be undetermined causes
