Libertarianism and Compatabilism Flashcards
circumstantial freedom
metaphysical freedom
the power of the self to choose among genuine alternatives
-this means our actions aren’t in any way determined by a prior cause
-if we’re metaphysically free then no factors would mean that are actions are determined
libertarianism
the view that despite restraints from genetics and the environment, human beings are free moral agents
Libertarianism explanation
-all people should be held morally responsible for their actions, because they have have metaphysical freedom
-in any moral dilemma, a person who does the wrong action always had a genuinely free choice to behave another way.
-people who behave wrongly, should be punished, because they could’ve chosen another course of action
-this is how systems of law and punishment are designed: people are punished with prison, fines or community service.
Kant-Libertartianism
-Kant could be viewed as a libertarian.
-he created deontological theory of ethics that was based on moral rules not religion
-created laws about what people ought to do, telling the their moral duty
-argues that ‘ought implies can’ knowing what we should do shows we are morally free to choose this action.
-kant argued that laws of a country are helpful for people being free to help them behave rationally. known as political freedom.
-breaking law is wrong as ti limits others peoples freedom
-punishment is for retribution.
Compatibilism
-called ‘soft determinism’
-human freedom and moral responsibility are compatible w/ determinism
-ideas of determinism and libertarianism can coexist
-some aspects of life are determined, like upbringing and genetics, which has an effect on how people see world and make moral decisions
-belive ppl have free choice within life that has been determined for them, so there are times when ppl still deserving of punishment for their wrong actions.
compatibilism definition
view that human freedom and moral responsibility are compatible with determinism
incompatibilism definition
view that human freedom and moral responsibility are incompatible with determinism
paralysis of complete freedom
-youre completely free, no limitations, no rules, no bad consequences, no question of guilt.
-so what do you do? you may want to satisfy some physical urge, but that would suggest yay aren’t free but simply following some natural causation.
-so perhaps u just decide what you want, you dont know what you want.
-if you knew what you wanted you’d know
-experience of freedom would make you rooted ti the spot because freedom requires limitations to make sense
liberty of spontaneity
-kind of liberty which is consistent with necessity, and this is the ability to do what you desire `
liberty of indifference
-freedom from necessity
-being free of causal necessity - which Hume saw as delusion
hume - compatibilism
-gives his own definition of ‘necessity’
-kind of necessity required by causal determinism is not logical necessity
-constant conjunction - human nature works the same way. we expect to see the same behaviour from people, but its not logically necessary.
constant conjunction
-wherever we look in nature, we see that (A) is constantly accompanied (B)
-whenever (A) we throw a brick at a pane of glass, then we constantly find (B) that the class will shatter
-A will always be accompanied by B. But this kind of conjunction isn’t logically necessary.
-cant talk about necessary laws of cause and effect in nature. ‘necessity’ is too strong. all we really find in nature is ‘constant conjunction’ . B constantly follows A.
constant conjunction with human nature
-if you think about the people you know fairly well you will probably agree with Hume that their nature fairly consistent, often remark ‘ppl dont change’
-peoples principles and motives are constant as the patterns of wind, rain and cloud.
-ppl in all societies depend on each other to the extent that there’s hardly anything we do that’s done without reference to others
