free will and determinism

what is free will

The view that we are free to choose our thoughts and actions, even with biological/environmental influences

what is determinism

The view that free will is an illusion and all behaviour has a cause

what is hard determinism

All behaviour is caused by internal/external forces we cannot control

what is soft determinism

behaviour is predictable and has causes, but we still make conscious choices in everyday life

what are the 3 types of determinism

biological

environmental

psychic

define biological determinism

behaviour is caused by internal factors such as genes, neurochemistry, and nervous system

define environmental determinism

behaviour is caused by external factors such as conditioning 

define psychic determinism

behaviour is caused by the unconscious and childhood experiences

what is the scientific perspective

determinist

what is a strength of free will

Practical value

• A research suggests that adolescents with a strong belief in fatalism are more likely to get depression

• this suggests that believing in free will has a positive impact on mental health

what is a limitation of free will

Research evidence

• research shows that unconscious brain activity leading to a movement occurs before the person is consciously aware of the decision

• our most basic experiences of free will are determined by our brain

• therefore neurological evidence does not support the existence of free will

what is a limitation of determinism

The law

• The hard determinist view suggests choice is not the cause of behaviour, which is not consistent with the way the legal system operates

• this suggests that determinist arguments do not work in the real world.

• In a court of law, offenders are held responsible for their actions

• this suggests that the legal system requires a concept of free will to function.