6.+Free+will+--+Introduction

Free Will, Determinism, and Responsibility

Authors

  • M. Timmons and D. Shoemaker

Key Questions to Consider (Page 2)

  • Reflect on the predictability of a main character’s thoughts and actions:

    • Can predictable behavior indicate a lack of free choice?

    • If our actions can be predicted based on past experiences and current circumstances, do free will and choice exist?

    • Explore the relevance of whether predictions are fulfilled or not.

The Free Will Problem (Page 3)

  • The free will problem arises from a clash between two main theses:

    • Determinism: Every event is necessitated by earlier events; the universe operates under predictable laws (excluding some initial events).

    • Free Will: There are situations where we have genuine choices, and we could have acted differently.

  • The question of whether these two concepts can coexist leads to debates in philosophy.

Details on Determinism (Page 4)

  • Determinism posits that:

    • Initial conditions plus the laws of physics determine all outcomes.

    • Example: A coin flipped under identical conditions will always land in the same way.

Understanding Free Will (Page 5)

  • Individuals often face decisions:

    • Example: Choosing between coffee, tea, or orange juice for breakfast.

  • Dilemmas arise about the nature of our choices in a deterministic framework. If we could only act as determined by past events, can we truly call our decisions free?

Free Will and Moral Responsibility (Page 6)

  • Importance of the free will problem in moral discussions:

    • Moral responsibility involves giving credit or blame for actions.

    • If one could not act differently (as in the case of a murderer), is it correct to assign blame or punishment?

    • Free will is crucial for understanding moral responsibility—without it, accountability may be at stake.

Defining Determinism (Page 7)

  • Determinism:

    • States that conditions at one time (t0) and the laws of nature dictate states at all future times.

    • Example Definitions:

      • P0: Complete description of the universe at time t0.

      • L: All laws of nature.

      • P: Future state of the universe at any time t.

Implications of Determinism (Page 8)

  • If determinism is true:

    • An all-knowing entity could predict future events based on full knowledge of past events and natural laws.

    • Example: Predicting what someone will do long before they do it based solely on laws of nature and past events.

Peter van Inwagen’s Consequence Argument (Page 9)

  1. Actions are consequences of prehistoric events and natural laws.

  2. No ability to change the past exists.

  3. No ability to violate natural laws exists (miracles not possible).

  4. Therefore, one cannot act differently than they do.

  5. Free will requires the power to do otherwise.

  6. Hence, free will cannot exist.

Indeterminism and Free Will (Page 10)

  • Indeterminism:

    • Some events occur without being necessitated by prior events; they are random.

    • Inquiry into whether chance events contribute to our understanding of free will:

      • Can randomness equate to freedom?

      • Does free will conflict with indeterministic views?

Chancy Body Movements (Page 11)

  • Scenario: Brady operates in an indeterministic world; some actions are unforeseen.

  • Example: Pressing the accelerator without intention leads to an accident.

    • Questions arise about freedom of action:

      • Did Brady freely choose his action?

      • If a movement is random, does it count as free?

      • Should Brady be held morally accountable for unintentional actions?

      • What must conditions be for free will to exist?

Approaches to the Free Will Problem (Page 12)

  1. Incompatibilism: Free will and determinism cannot coexist.

    • Hard Determinism: Free will does not exist because determinism is true.

    • Libertarianism: Free will exists; therefore, determinism is false.

  2. Compatibilism: Free will and determinism can coexist.

    • Soft Determinism: Free will exists within the framework of determinism.

Discussion Questions from Fritz Lang’s M (Page 13)

  • Reflect on whether a serial killer acts freely during crimes:

    • Can he be considered morally responsible?

    • Compare the serial killer’s actions with an ordinary criminal’s deliberation and decision-making.

    • Is there a moral distinction between their actions in a deterministic worldview?