8. Libertarianism

who is benjamin libet

american neuroscientist in 1980s

what did libets experiments show

the brain prepares to act well before we are conscious of the urge to move

what is libets conclusion

these are determined electrical brain impluses (no fw)

why did libet then go against this

said the brain can veto pre conscious decisions

what is libertarianism

determinism is false

what are most libertarians

mind-body dualists

what is a mind-body dualist

the mind is separate from body and brain

what do libertarians claim human moral freedom is

non-casual

what does 'non-casual' claim

there is both caused and free events

what would a moderate libertarian not say about the external world

its deterministic

what would a moderate libertarian accept about deterministic processes

they affect living beings

what would a moderate libertarian accept about personality

its impacted by social situation/environment

what would a moderate libertarian accept about influences

impact us to act in certain ways over others

what does a libertarian say about human behaviour

external impacts don't affect

what are physical limitations of human behaviour

some things we arent physically capable of

what is a psychological limitation

we have stronger psychological motivations for some things over another

whats a social limitation

financial, social and political structures limit us

why are these limitations acceptable

complete freedom makes no sense

whats the common sense argument from 'folk psychology'

we experience ourselves as free and have moral responsibility

what are libertarians concerned with

future goals

what is the emphasis on for libertarians

the reason for the action not cause

what self does libertarians argue for

moral self