Philosophy quiz 3 review (copy)

What is the difference between negative and positive freedom?

the absence of restraints or hindrances, while the other freedom is the ability to act in accordance with one's desires and values.

What does determinism entail regarding human actions?

Determinism holds that our actions are determined by natural causes and could not have been otherwise.

What is compatibilism?

the belief that free will and determinism are compatible and can both be true at the same time.

What aspect of free will does Schopenhauer criticize?

Schopenhauer argues that free will is constrained by motives and external factors influencing one's decisions/ doesn’t believe in free will

What is the essence of Ayer's definition of free will?

defines free will as the absence of constraints rather than the absence of causes.

What did Libet's experiments suggest about the relationship between brain activity and free will?

Libet's experiments showed that brain activity indicating a decision occurs before conscious awareness of the intent to act.

How does Hume's view of liberty differ from traditional views of free will?

liberty to mean freedom to act according to one's desires without external constraints instead of acting independently of any cause.

According to Schopenhauer, what motivates individuals' actions?

Motivations can include character traits, emotions, genes, and external circumstances, which determine the will.

What is a conditional statement in the context of compatibilism?

A conditional statement illustrates that if a person desires to achieve a goal, the actions necessary to fulfill that goal can be considered free.

What is the significance of Buridan's Ass in the discussion of free will?

The scenario illustrates a paradox for compatibilism, questioning how free will can exist when equally appealing options lead to indecision.

What is existentialism's view on free will? -

Existentialism-i ndividuals are free and responsible for their own choices, emphasizing personal authenticity.

What role does moral responsibility play in discussions of free will?

- Moral responsibility hinges on the belief that individuals can choose freely and are accountable for their actions.

What do neuroscientific studies reveal about decision-making?

- Neuroscientific studies indicate that many decisions may be made subconsciously before the individual is aware of them.

How do libertarians define free will?

some acts of the will do not have determining causes

What is intellectual freedom?

the right to access and share ideas without censorship or restriction.

What is physical freedom?

the ability to act without physical restraints or coercion.

What is the distinction between necessary and contingent events?

outcomes that must occur, while events could occur or not based on external factors.

What did the Vohs 2008 experiment demonstrate?

suggested that a belief in free will can influence self-regulation and decision-making.

How does determinism differ from Schopenhauer's view?

Determinism implies that all events, including human actions, are predetermined, whereas Schopenhauer's pessimism suggests that free will is limited by our motives and external influences.

What is the freedom of the three-step process?

This refers to the sequence of decision-making which typically involves recognizing options, making a choice, and taking action.

What does 'Liberum arbitrium' mean?

free will in the context of the ability to choose freely among alternatives.

What is self-consciousness in terms of free will?

the awareness of oneself as an individual with the capacity to reflect on one's own thoughts and actions.

What is the rationalist view of causation?

knowledge and actions are derived from reason and innate ideas, emphasizing a logical framework.

What is the empiricist view of causation?

knowledge arises from sensory experience and observation

What does it mean for an action to be caused versus constrained?

An action is caused if it results from prior events leading to it, while it is constrained if external forces limit the individual's ability to act freely.

How does Schopenhauer's pessimism contrast with Hume's and Ayer's views on determinism?

Schopenhauer's pessimism emphasizes the limits of free will imposed by external motives, while Hume and Ayer argue that free will exists within a deterministic framework, focusing on the absence of constraints rather than causes.

What does Buridan's Ass illustrate about free choice?

illustrates the paradox of free choice in compatibilism, suggesting that even when faced with equally appealing options, the inability to choose can lead to negative outcomes.

How does Buridan's Ass relate to the concept of freedom in decision-making?

Buridan's Ass is free to choose, the equal appeal of both choices complicates the notion of freedom, leading to potential inaction.

What is incontinence, and how does it relate to addiction?

lack of self-control or weakness, as seen in addiction, where individuals may struggle to act against their desires even if they recognize the harm.

According to compatibilism, does addiction constrain free will?

Compatibilism argues that addiction does not necessarily constrain free will; thus, individuals may act freely while maintaining their addiction, despite recognizing its negative impact.

What is the implication of being locked in a classroom for compatibilists?

For compatibilists, if a student decides to stay in a classroom but is secretly locked in, they are not truly free and the idea of freely remaining in a locked room highlights the absurdity of perceived freedom in

Negative Freedom objection to compatibilism

: Questionable argument from subtraction - freedom is just whatever is left over when constraint is removed. Does this really tell us what it is?

“Sean’s Objection” to compatibilism (vagueness):

the line between constrained and unconstrained is not well-defined. Is this a problem? Well if we just want a common-sense or legal classification of examples, no. But if we want to know what fact of the matter determines which is which, yes.This goes back to Socrates’ first objection to Euthyphro.

“Isadora’s Objection” to compatibilsim (individualism):

Assumes that you are free as long as no one or no thing is actually messing with you, does this discount the many ways we need social, familial, economic or institutional support to have the freedom to accomplish actions?

Did Schopenhauer believe in free will? / what motivates our actions

Schopenhauer argued that free will is an illusion and that our actions are determined by our desires and external influences,

Is free will possible with determinism( our actions are determined by natural causes and could not have been otherwise)

determinism actually argues that free will is impossible because every event or action is causally determined by preceding events in accordance with the laws of nature. This means that individuals do not have true freedom to choose their actions, as they are influenced by factors beyond their control.