...A crucial thought behind Van Inwagen’s Consequence Argument is that we lack the ability either to change the past or change the laws. If determinism is true, he argues, our present actions are a direct combination of the past and the laws. And on that basis, he concludes that if determinism is true then what we in fact do is all that we can do. David Lewis rejects this reasoning. He claims that while there is sense in which we cannot break the laws of nature, there is also a sense in which we can break the laws of nature. Moreover, he claims that once we appreciate this distinction, Van Inwagen’s argument for the incompatibility of freedom and determinism collapses. Who has the better of this dispute? Write a paper which answers that question. There are many possible strategies you might adopt...
Words: 1543 - Pages: 7
...Can compatibilism be defended? Introduction This essay argues in favor of a compatibilist, that free will and determinism can co-exist. Consequently it will support the concept of compatibilism and determine that it can be defended. Two basic ideas will be outlined in this argument in support of this claim. Firstly, the notion of compatibilism, that actions can be both free and causally determined (Shabo, 2012; Sober, 2009). Secondly, it will be deliberated what it means to act freely. Followed by a reply, these counter arguments will also be discussed; Incompatibilists disagree with these ideas and believe that determinism is true and that no person has free will, this is called hard determinism. In addition, a libertarian’s point of view; that we are free and our actions are not causally determined (Sober, 2009). Furthermore, the trouble with determining what freewill is. Argument 1 Compatibilism is the idea that determinism is true; every event in the world has a cause, however, freewill can still exist. The aim of a compatibilist is to show that an act can be done freely if it has been caused a certain way (Sober, 2009). This leaves room for the idea that freedom doesn’t require the absence of causality, but rather, the right kind of causality (Millican, 2010; Sober, 2009). This makes reasonable sense because it is common knowledge that the way an individual acts and thinks has been determined by their genes and past experiences. Who the person is has been affected...
Words: 1458 - Pages: 6
...In Critique of Pure Reason and Critique of Practical Reason Immanuel Kant attempts to reconcile causal determinism on the one hand and human freedom on the other. Kant’s unique argument centers around a distinction between human reason, which originates spontaneously from itself with no previous cause, and its effect on the external world which always has a cause and is part of a causal chain of events. In essence human beings have the freedom to choose a response regardless of the effects of events in the external world. Kant presents cogent and comprehensive argument that is difficult to write off. I will argue in favor or Kant’s position as he does a masterful job in removing what appears to be an obvious contradiction of compatibilism. Kant identifies two forms of causality: causality via the laws of nature, or determinism and causality from freedom of will (Critique of Pure Reason, A532 / B560). Causality from nature is...
Words: 2020 - Pages: 9
...LAW and FREEDOM The purpose of Law and Freedom is to promote freedom under law, as we enter more lawless times. Law becomes tyrannical without freedom, and freedom becomes predatory without law. A free society under law will always be more prosperous and peaceful. There are three threats to the survival of state authority in Britain and Europe. First, economic breakdown. If the state goes bankrupt, the machinery of law disappears. This is the immediate problem. Second, welfare dependence and collapse. This is the underlying problem. Third, ethnic division, particularly between Islamic and non-Islamic society, and the violence at the heart of Islamic doctrine. This is the most visible problem, and the one that people will blame. Together, these three problems risk creating the conditions for lawless violence. Political and intellectual elites are undermining our laws and freedoms. So we need to take what action we can to preserve them ourselves. The Law and Freedom Foundation is not associated with the English Defense League ------------------------------------------------- Law Law is a term which does not have a universally accepted definition,[2] but one definition is that law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behaviour.[3] Laws can be made by legislatures through legislation (resulting instatutes), the executive through decrees and regulations, or judges through binding precedents (normally...
Words: 4167 - Pages: 17
...Prof. Kellenberger Phil 310 Free Will When grumpy old Scrooge of the famous movie A Christmas Carol went home on Christmas eve, he had no idea what awaited him. He experienced a night of anguish and terror after three ghosts visit him. Scrooge was a grumpy mean-spirited man after the death of his sister Fan. Just to prepare him for his “life” in death, his dead partner and friend Marley, who facilitates the entire nightmare, shows him the lost lonely spirits who were mean-spirited in their earthly lives. The first ghost who visited him that night was “the ghost of Christmas past”. This ghost serves to remind him how others had been kind to him during past Christmases in his youth and how people in his past embodied the Christmas spirit. This ghost served to instill guilt and remorse. Next, “the ghost of Christmas present” appears to Scrooge and shows him how everyone is enjoying Christmas and spreading the Christmas spirit around town. It also shows how his servant Bob, despite his meager earnings enjoys Christmas with his family. It also shows Scrooge his nephew Fred enjoying Christmas with his family. The two families only show downcast moods when discussing Scrooge. However, Fred maintains hope that his uncle Scrooge can change. After that, the most dreary “ghost of Christmas yet to come” appears to Scrooge. He shows Scrooge how Bob’s son death saddens everyone and leaves them feeling a sense of loss. He then shows him a rich dead man who nobody misses and some...
Words: 1836 - Pages: 8
...ARGUMENTS AGAINST DETERMINISM: MAN IS FREE, NO MORE, NO LESS INTRODUCTION The issues of Freedom and Determinism have been sensitive issues that have sparked off heated debates throughout history. The question whether man is really free has been a hard nut to crack and as a result of this, many attempts have been made by different individuals from both philosophical and theological point of view in their effort to explain and understand this concept ‘Freedom’. The line of thought that supports the notion of free will is also called libertarianism. DEFINITION OF CONCEPTS Before delving into the argument, it is worthy of note that the terms under discussion be given a definition for a better understanding of the terms. According to Advanced Learners’ Dictionary, determinism is the belief that people are not free to choose what they are like or how they behave because these things are decided by their background, surroundings and other things over which they have no control. It is simply the view that man is not free, that his actions are determined by certain causes. On another note, libertarianism according to the same source is the belief that people should have the freedom to do and think as they like. Freedom is simply man’s capacity to take hand in his own development. Concentrating more on the major object of my argument which is against determinism, the concept freedom was supported by both philosophers and theologians throughout history. On the part of the philosophers...
Words: 1742 - Pages: 7
...Introduction For centuries, philosophers and theologians have debated the existence, definition, and extent of human free will. While this debate may superficially appear inconsequential to the average person, our individual belief in (or denial of) free will, produces dramatic ramifications in every facet of the human experience. Your opinion on the topic significantly alters your worldview—directly influencing your individual perspectives on justice, punishment, equality, interpersonal relationships, etc. For Christians, our view of free will affects our understanding of God, generating a multitude of theological ramifications relating to righteous living, sin, salvation, etc. This paper will briefly examine the philosophy of determinism—the...
Words: 2984 - Pages: 12
...1 x 12 mark essay question. Older papers (June 2006-June 2009) used to have Psychology and Science as a separate section so there are a lot of past paper questions on this particular debate. Now they are combined and you would be asked a mixture of questions from across different debates. Print off the copy of this document without the answers and use this to mark them and give yourselves targets for improvement. Specimen Paper Outline what is meant by hypothesis testing and explain the role of hypothesis testing in scientific research. (4 marks) [AO3 = 4] Up to 2 marks for definition/outline of what is meant by hypothesis testing, eg a hypothesis is a testable, predictive statement/proposition specifying the relationships between events or variables. Two further marks for explanation of the role of hypothesis testing in research, eg theories need to be tested by empirical studies, hypothesis testing allows researchers to refute or support a theory, the degree of support determines confidence in a theory. Credit references to the null hypothesis and falsification of a theory 0 8 Explain what is meant by the nature-nurture debate in psychology. (4 marks) [AOl = 2, AO2 = 2] AOl One mark for outlining the term nature; genes, innate or inherited factors. One mark for outlining the term nurture; environment, experience. AO2 Marks to be awarded for explaining the debate; a controversy within psychology that is concerned with the extent to which particular aspects...
Words: 5995 - Pages: 24
...What problems do you see in Kant’s attempt to reconcile determinism and free will? In the Critique of Pure Reason Kant presents the third antinomy in which he introduces a thesis and an antitheses. The thesis argues that a rational being’s actions are not contingent on previous causes according to the laws of nature, or more simply, that freedom exists. The antithesis to this proposes that rational beings can never be causal origins in themselves and that all actions are contingent upon previous causes according to the laws of nature and therefore freedom does not exist as everything is determined. Something should be here but what?In his attempt to reconcile determinism and free will a few problems arise that need to be studied. Firstly, we...
Words: 1077 - Pages: 5
...“Human actions are causally determined and therefore not free” Discuss. Determinism argues that all human actions are determined as they apply to natural laws. However, to say actions are determined means that human action isn’t free and we do not have free will. Free will is the term given to the idea of human ability to do what we like whenever we like without restraint. I disagree with the claim that human action is not free and I will put forth arguments in this essay to discuss this conclusion. Firstly, libertarians would argue that we freely chose our actions as we have an overall feeling of freedom. This relates to our common experiences of choosing and deciding and when we have to make choices we are open to all other alternatives before making a decision. Surely, we only have the ability to freely choose something if we have free will to do so and if our actions were causally determined then we wouldn’t have other alternatives to decide from. Therefore this strong feeling of free will and freedom to do as we choose to would prove that human actions isn’t causally determined. However, determinists would claim that this ‘feeling’ of freedom is not sufficient evidence to say that we are free since it is possible for us to feel free even when we are not. For example, if I had a brain tumour that I didn’t know of which caused me to drink repeatedly then I am unaware that the tumour is making me do so yet I feel as if I am freely choosing to drink. It may seem as though...
Words: 961 - Pages: 4
...Ayer agrees that we can only be morally responsible for voluntary actions which is an absence of constraint. An action done is only done because of the motives the person has. The motives themselves are caused by things out of our control in which he simply states “We could not have acted otherwise”. His essay “Freedom and Necessity” makes a solid distinction between what is considered causes and what is considered constraints. Ayer says that freedom is a constraint, that a person who acts without constraint is a person who is acting under their own free will. Ayer believes that once you acknowledge your freewill, it is no longer free. He believes it should be in your unconscious. Once you think to yourself I am acting on free will, you no...
Words: 390 - Pages: 2
...Assignment 2: Essay Outline (300 words) (10%) You will submit your essay plan (300 words) in Week 5 tutorials. The plan should include how are you planning to answer the question, key issues you will cover, structure of the essay and key arguments you want to present. Your tutor will provide oral feedback in the class. You need to make reasonable attempt at this assessment every week to pass the course. If you fail to do it your final mark will be withheld. 1. Essay Question: After more than a century of criminological theory, why does crime still exist? Illustrate your answer by drawing on at least two theories studied thus far in the semester and consider how they define crime and what policy ( rulem strategy, procedure) responses (replies) they advocate (support). What are the strengths and weaknesses of these theories and why related policy responses failed to rid society ( culture of crime? Use Australian or international examples to support your arguments. a. Thesis Statement: * Crime attributes an individual to a particularly undesirable group. It is based upon an event; some sort of wrong - doing or deviance from the norm which results in social, physical, mental, property or financial harm. * Theories come into play and provide a perspective and embody certain assumptions. * * There is no longer a singular definition of crime, there are multiple views and opinions yet non stand as a concrete definition. * Classical...
Words: 1572 - Pages: 7
...Globalization and its Aftermath By Douglas Kellner Globalization has been one of the most hotly contested phenomena of the past two decades. It has been a primary attractor of books, articles, and heated debate, just as postmodernism was the most fashionable and debated topic of the 1980s. A wide and diverse range of social theorists have argued that today's world is organized by accelerating globalization, which is strengthening the dominance of a world capitalist economic system, supplanting the primacy of the nation-state by transnational corporations and organizations, and eroding local cultures and traditions through a global culture. Contemporary theorists from a wide range of political and theoretical positions are converging on the position that globalization is a distinguishing trend of the present moment, but there are hot debates concerning its nature, effects, and future. Moreover, advocates of a post-modern break in history argue that developments in transnational capitalism are producing a new global historical configuration of post- Fordism, or postmodernism as an emergent cultural logic of capitalism (Harvey 1989; Soja 1989; Jameson 1991; and Gottdiener 1995). Others define the emergent global economy and culture as a "network society" grounded in new communications and information technology (Castells 1996, 1997, and 1998). For its defenders, globalization marks the triumph of capitalism and its market economy (see apologists such as Fukuyama...
Words: 1697 - Pages: 7
...Society and its 'cultural norms,' play a significant role in the topic of the body and gender assignment. Quote number 3 is from a required reading by Butler in lecture week 10. It can be found on page 10 of her book entitled “Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity.” Specifically, in Chapter 1 entitled “Subjects of Sex/Gender/Desire.” The quote begins by explaining that the body is a ‘mere instrument/medium.’ Due to the on going debate of free will vs. determinism (Butler 1990:8) the body seems to merely be a vessel for whatever cultural meaning will soon be placed upon them. Due to the external physical features of a given body, there are immediate binary distinctions formed for the individual based on societal/cultural...
Words: 751 - Pages: 4
...Functionalism has given a useful understanding of society, despite its limitations. Functionalists describe society using an organic analogy; they say society is like a biological organism. Parsons found three similarities between society and an organism. System organisms such as the human body and society are both self-regulating and inter-related, independent parts fit together in fixed ways. In the body these are organs; in society they are institutions, such as family and education. Both organisms have system needs for example an organism needs nutrition without which it would die. Social systems have basic needs for example members of society need to be socialized. Both society and organisms function to contribute to meeting the systems needs and thus ensure survival. For example the circulatory systems delivers oxygen to cells, similarly the economy in society helps meet the needs for food and shelter. Parsons argues the central question sociology tries to answer is how is social order possible? Parsons argues social order is achieved through the existence of a shared value system. A culture is a set of norms, values, beliefs and goals shared by members of society. It provides a framework enabling individuals to cooperate by laying down rules about how to behave and what others expect of them, defining goals they should pursue and so on. Social order is only possible so long as members of society agree on these norms and values. This agreement is called value consensus...
Words: 3343 - Pages: 14
