Module 5 - Free Will & Determinism [Updated]

Compatibilist

Claims that determinism and free will are compatible

Compatibilist definition of free will

If we do an action because we desire/will it, the action is free

Compatibilist arbitrariness argument

-Incompatibilist claim that actions are not free if they are determined by anything

-If my actions are not determined by my reasons nor desires then they are arbitrary

Compatibilist epistemic argument

There is no way to know that if someone was given a choice again in the same context they would choose differently, therefore it is impossible to know if free will exist in the incompatibilist definition

Freedom continuum

-Compatibilist belief that freedom comes in degrees

-e.g. More free than someone in an authoritarian state

Van Cleave's Reductio

1. A free choice is one that is undetermined

2. If our own desires are not determining choices then those choices are arbitrary

3. If a choice is arbitrary we do not have control

4. If a choice is not controlled, then it is not free choice

5. Therefore free choice is not free choice (1 & 4)

Determinism

the philosophy that holds that every event, action, and decision is predetermined through cause and effect

Determinism alternative definition

Every event that occurs was necessitated by an event which occured prior

Ex Nihilo, Nihil fit

Something cannot come from nothing

Libertarianism

The belief that most things are determined, but human minds are special and rise above this determinism

Libertarian argument from intuitions

We deeply feel that we have free will

Libertarianism and global determinism

• If the libertarian can convince us that even some (very small) subset of our actions could have been different if we had chosen again, then global determinism would be defeated

Libertarian argument from moral responsibility

-If everything is determined we should not bear moral responsibility

-If free will does not exist a criminal could not have chosen to commit a crime

Libertarian argument from quantum mechanics

Quantum mechanics do not operate in a deterministic manner, if this is not deterministic surely more of life could be similar

Naturalist view

No argument that appeals to intuitions can be right compared to scientific arguments