simple free will

Question 1

free will is about

Answer 1

having the individual freedom to decide ones destiny

Question 2

why do we think we have free will according to H determinisms

Answer 2

because we are not aware of the causes of our actions

Question 3

soft determinists believe that determinism is necessary

Answer 3

otherwise everything would be too random or down to chance

Question 4

we blame and praise people and this means

Answer 4

people freely and knowingly undertake actions

Question 5

basis of morality is dependent upon

Answer 5

freedom

Question 6

nature nurture argument

Answer 6

to what extent our genetics determine our choice or to what extent our choices are determined by environment

Question 7

our genetics mean we are

Answer 7

programmed like a computer

Question 8

external factors

Answer 8

social contexts which controls our behaviour and adds features to the programming of internal factors

Question 9

problem with nature nurture argument

Answer 9

what happens when an individual acts contrary to their upbringing and genetics e.g. twins

Question 10

social contract

Answer 10

the unwritten agreement in society that a citizen agrees to–> accepting these rules limit our behaviour

Question 11

restraints on freedom?

Answer 11

conflict of free wills–> crossroads

e.g. if i have freedom to move can i go anywhere?

we allow as much freedom as society affords us

Question 12

a causally undetermined choice

Answer 12

choice is not predetermined by causes, genetic or envionmental

Question 13

how is the causally undetermined choice explained

Answer 13

by dualism

Question 14

dualism

Answer 14

the idea of the body soul divide- mind and soul is distinct from the body and physical world- if an entity is distinct from the physical world then its activity would not be subject to the laws of nature

Question 15

through will power…

Answer 15

the moral self can overcome personality traits

Question 16

definition of free will

Answer 16

the power of acting without the constraint of necessity or fate

Question 17

scientific argument in favour of free will

Answer 17

heinsberg and his uncertainty principle

Question 18

scientific argument against free will

Answer 18

principle of causality

Question 19

if free will is real:

Answer 19

• all of our decisions are genuine
• our success is down to us and us alone
• if we make bad decisions, we cannot blame the decisions on causal factors
• we must take moral responsibility for all of our actions- free autonomous agents

Question 20

limits of free will

Answer 20

• what happens when a persons free will restricts another persons free will?
• what if we are not really free and we just don’t know the alternative option available e.g. john locke
• if we have free will, how do we make moral decisions