libertarianism

what is libertarianism?

• free to choose actions = morally responsible

  • humans = free moral agents

• opposite of determinism

• incompatibilism

examples of libertarians

• DESCARTES

• KANT

• SARTRE

• MILL

SARTRE’s libertarian view on freewill

“humans are condemned to be free”

• existence precedes essence

  • analogy of paper cutter

  • when someone designs cutter, starts as idea

  • but humans have no plan (essence), so can establish however they like

KANT’s libertarian view on freewill

• to fulfil moral duty, need autonomy and to accept responsibility

• people are subject to influence, but can be overcome

  • e.g. kleptomaniac can resist urge to steal

MILL’s libertarian view on freewill

• identity connected to choice

• society more developed with freedom of speech

what is the common sense argument?

we perceive ourselves to be autonomous agents

• supported by Occam’s razor

scientific support for freewill

DR ANGELA SIGIRU (neuroscientist)

• parietal cortex = people can make decisions from several choices

evidence supporting libertarianism

• heaven / hell make sense

  • God blames us for our choices

• compatible with legal system

  • idea of punishment and reward

• Jesus’ sacrifice makes sense

  • why would he die for our sins if we didn’t have responsibility?

• evidence for problem of evil

  • misuse of freewill

• God’s omnibenevolence

• holds us accountable 

• develop moral compass

• supported by science 

• common sense argument, Occam’s razor

evidence against libertarianism

• God’s omnipotence weakened 

• legal system considers determining factors