Free will

Concept of moral responsibility as entitlement to praise, blame, reward, or punishment for actions in accordance with moral obligations.

Definition: Moral agents are individuals who can be held morally responsible for their actions.
Necessary condition for free will: Being morally responsible is essential for an agent to have free will.
To evaluate free will, one must assess whether an agent is a moral agent.

Infants:
- Infants may not be aware of their actions.
- They operate on instinct and are not fully informed of their surroundings.
- Example: Infant tested for fear of snakes shows lack of awareness and autopilot behavior.
Individuals with extreme disabilities, e.g., dementia:
- Cannot be said to take moral responsibility as they may lack awareness of their actions.
- Raises ethical questions in healthcare regarding consent and respect for autonomy.
Non-human beings, e.g., dogs:
- Dogs exhibit some level of consciousness but do not possess free will in the same manner as humans.

Criteria for Free Will: An agent has free will if they can reflect, weigh choices, and choose differently.
The free will hypothesis includes multiple assertions:
1. An individual is morally responsible only if they act freely.
2. An action is free only if one could have done otherwise.
3. Choices are not determined by uncontrollable prior factors.
4. Morality is tied to the ability to make undetermined choices.
5. Generally, people are accountable for their actions.
6. Typical human choices are not subject to extreme bad luck or forces beyond their control.

Personal experiences with natural disasters, highlighting that most individuals do not encounter extreme events daily.
Illustrations by the speaker of unique events experienced in certain locations.

Concept of determinism: The belief that every event or choice is determined by preceding events in accordance with the laws of nature.
Factors influencing choices may not be a result of conscious reasoning (e.g., sudden cravings while grocery shopping).

Discussion of Aristotle’s stance in relation to moral choice, desire, and the philosophical connection to free will.
Definition of Choice: According to Aristotle, all choices are rationalized desires influenced by beliefs and prior experiences.

Exploration of how determinism and free will might coexist (compatibilism):
- Certain circumstances may be out of control, yet individuals still have choices within those circumstances.
- Example: Grocery shopping scenario explaining the variety of choices affected by exterior factors such as product availability.

Ignorance as a factor affecting moral responsibility: Ignorance cannot serve as an excuse for all actions, but one may feel guilt for actions committed out of ignorance.
Aristotle's perspective: Actions done with ignorance are not considered willing actions.
Types of ignorance affecting choices:
1. Ignorance of the agent performing (who is acting).
2. Ignorance regarding the nature of the action being taken.
3. Ignorance concerning the consequences of the action.
4. Ignorance regarding the manner in which the action is executed.

Willing Actions: Defined by the agent’s knowledge of the action's circumstances; involve reason and deliberate choice.
Unwilling Actions: Actions taken under force or ignorance, with no voluntary agent involvement; e.g., being swept away by an avalanche.
Mixed Actions: Actions where an agent has some control but is influenced by external factors (e.g., coerced actions).
Importance of recognizing willing and unwilling actions in assessing moral responsibility.