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Libertarianism, free will and determinism > Libertarianism > Flashcards

Libertarianism Flashcards

1
Q

Who came up with the analogy of a fork in the road

A

Peter Van Inwagen

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2
Q

Explain the analogy of Inwagen

A

Free will is incompatible with determinism. We consciously make choices in life to take paths that we wish to follow

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3
Q

Consequent argument

A

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

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4
Q

Criticism of the consequent argument

A

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

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5
Q

Personality

A

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

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6
Q

The difference between the moral self and personality

A

ethical concept. Distinguish between duty and desire. We decide what to do in situations of our moral choice. Separate from our personality

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7
Q

Give a quote of Plato

A

Your destiny should not be alloted to you, but you shall choose it for yourselves

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8
Q

Explain Plato’s quote

A

a person is a free agent. Morally responsible for those actions

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9
Q

What is conscience?

A

The moral self. Separate entity within us. We should act in a way that fits our principles and beliefs

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10
Q

How did Aquinas explained conscience?

A

The voice of our trueselves. It is a device or faculty for distinguishing right from wrong rather than an inner knowledge

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11
Q

What does conscience mean for libertarians?

A

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

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12
Q

What does conscience mean for the religious?

A

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.

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13
Q

Give a quote from the New Testament by St Jerome

A

The spark of conscience with which we discern what we sin

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14
Q

Explain St Jerome’s argument

A

We have the power to distinguish good from evil. It is the capacity to make judgements and a power of the soul

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15
Q

What is the synderesis rule?

A

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

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16
Q

Give a quote of Aquina’s definition of conscience

A

‘Reason making right decisions.’ Conscience deliberates between good and bad

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17
Q

Elements of decision making process / Difference between conscience and synderesis

A

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

18
Q

Give a quote from Joseph Butler

A

Had it strength as it has right; had it power as it had manifest authority, it would absolutely govern the world

19
Q

Explain Butler’s argument

A

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.

20
Q

Conscience as a moral guide. Give a quote from St Paul talking about conscience

A

“They can demonstrate the effects of the law engraved on their hearts, to which their own conscience bears witness”

21
Q

Explain St Paul’s quote

A

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

22
Q

What did Sigmund Freud believe about conscience?

A

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

23
Q

What are the two types of conscience according to psychologists who amended Freud’s theory?

A

Mature and immature conscience

24
Q

What is a mature conscience?

A

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

25
Q

What is an immature conscience?

A

Super ego. Feelings of guilt, prerational stage by parents and schooling. Inspires actions to gain approval. Concerned with feelings

26
Q

How can mature and immature consciences conflict?

A

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.

27
Q

Example that challenges the use of conscience to justify free will

A

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

28
Q

What’s a causally undetermined choice?

A

When a moral choice is made, there is no overriding power making the person choose one or another

29
Q

What does Cardinal Newman say about conscience?

A

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

30
Q

Give a quote from Cardinal Newman?

A

I toast the Pope but I toast conscience first

31
Q

Is Roman Catholic compatible with Cardinal Newman’s teaching about conscience?

A

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

32
Q

What matters for libertarians when making choices?

A

Choices are causally undetermined

33
Q

Give a quote from David Hume

A

By Liberty, we can only mean a power of acting or not acting, according to the determinations of the will

34
Q

Which concept traditionally explain the causally undetermined choice ?

A

This has been explained by the idea of dualism

35
Q

What is dualism?

A

Body-soul divide

36
Q

Give an example of the link between dualism and free will

A

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.

37
Q

What does Hume’s quote mean?

A

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

38
Q

Example of a non ethical situation that proves that we have free will

A

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

39
Q

Pros of libertarianism

A
  • 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?’
40
Q

Cons of libertarianism

A
  • 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

Libertarianism, free will and determinism (7 decks)

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