Libertarianism - AO1

What does libertarianism propose?

Our personal decision making - feeling free to make decisions and that we could do other things - is strong enough to be seen as free will

What do libertarians still recognise?

Some effects are still determined - e.g. stubbing toe = pain

What are the three concepts of Libertarianism?

Philosophical

Scientific

Psychological

Who forwards the philosophical concept of libertarianism?

Jean-Paul Sartre

What does Sartre mean by ‘pour-soi’? Example?

Being for itself - existing without being predetermined

Human freedom of decision making

What does Sartre mean by ‘en-soi’? Example?

Being in itself - things that are made for a purpose/to an end

A knife made to cut, a cat hunting off of instinct

What is ‘Bad faith’?

Belief in determinism is rejecting responsibility and the human condition - being in a perpetual state of ‘what do i do next’

What does Sartre aim to show with the waiter example?

Someone who works as a waiter that plays the convincing, comical role of one, must first be aware that they are not a waiter and are just playing the role of one. They know they have the capacity to be something else, otherwise they convince themselves they have no free will = bad faith

What did Sartre say man is condemned to be? Why?

Free

Freedom = there are consequences to each action.

According to Sartre what precedes essence? What does this mean?

Existence

We are not born with a definite purpose, our existence allows us to create one for ourselves.

Who forwards the scientific concept of libertarianism?

Angela Sirigu

What study did Sirigu perform?

Cognitive Neuroscience Centre (France) found evidence that free will resides in the parietal cortex of the brain.

How were Sirigu’s subjects examined? What was the conclusion?

7 conscious subjects - conscious brain surgery - received shocks to parietal cortex - all 7 reported intense desire to move - Parietal cortex makes predictions about potential bodily movements?

Why is Sirigu’s study reliable?

Repeatable results grounded in modern neuroscience

What does Sirigu argue?

She has discovered the region of the brain that illustrates the mechanics of free will - reinforces libertarian idea that choice comes from within

Who forwards the psychological concept of libertarianism?

Carl Rogers

What did Rogers believe in and was a founder of?

Humanism - encouraging people to consider their own behaviour

What does Rogers call the process of achieving free will? What does he accept can still happen to children?

Self-actualisation

Children can be conditioned

What does self-actualisation involve?

Getting in touch with our feelings and true selves and acting on them

What does Rogers compare self-actualisation to?

A flower growing - neither will happen without the right conditions

According to Rogers what are the requirements for a child to flourish? Explain?

Genuineness - the child has the opportunity to be open with and explore their thoughts

Acceptance - the child receives unconditional love regardless of their beliefs e.g. non-religious teen in family of theists

Empathy - the child is understood by parents and carers

How does Rogers maintain free will despite environmental factors?

Even within said restraints a person is free to act as they will

Libertarianism on moral responsibility?

Humans = capable of self determination = going back to a specific situation, you always had the capacity to make another choice = people should be held to the choices they make, good or bad

Libertarianism on blaming agents for immoral acts?

Choice to make immoral act = within agent = sensical to punish/blame them

UK court - Rational Choice Theory - Humans are actors that weigh up means and ends = they are aware of their actions = punishment is valid (except for cases of mental illness)

Libertarianism on usefulness of normative ethics?

Upholds use - maintains moral freedom of people = useful to have moral guidance

Especially true when considering moral agent compromised by ignorance to morality e.g. a child - possibility of becoming a/immoral human