Chapter Four Are You Free? Freedom and Determinism



Table of Contents

Introduction1

Comparison and Contrast1

Strengths and Weaknesses2

Compatibilism2

Determinism3

Libertarianism4

My Opinion5

References6

Chapter Four Are You Free? Freedom and Determinism

Introduction

The philosophical question that has been a topic of debate for so much long is that, whether humans have the will to take their own decisions or we are living in a predetermined world with no free will. There are few theories which have gained a lot of fame regarding the nature of free will. Three such theories are determinism, compatibilism, and libertarianism.

Comparison and Contrast

Determinism is basically standing on the pillar of scientific model of the universe. It is evident from the history of sciences that, events in the physical world display well-coordinated and predestined events. Furthermore, the event in the biological world also displays causal connections. Human beings, which are part of this physical and biological world, are assumedly having predetermined causal actions (Koch, and Christof, 2009). Determinist theory predicts that there is no concept of free will. Every ting is predetermined. Human beings are constrained by the external and internal factors. External constrained are imposed by the circumstances an environment. While the internal limitations on autonomy, which are imposed on us by ourselves. In short, humans do what their unique biological makeup and physical environment combine to create future.

Another theory which explains the phenomenon of free will but in totally opposite direction is the libertarianism. It is also known as indeterminism. Its name indicates that this theory is totally in contrast to the theory of determinism. While the determinism believes that humans have no free will, libertarianism believes that humans have free will, they can create their own destiny with decision making. While it is accepted that our biological makeup and physical conditions do pose some constraints, however despite those constraints, we have several options from which we select according to our will.

Compatibilism, also known as of determinism is the name of theory in free will that acts as a mid-way in between two extremes determinism and libertarianism. Stace, compatibilist believes that, if the actions portrayed by humans do not result from external constraints rather a function of internal motivation then environment cannot be blamed for it and it will be considered a free will (Chaffee, 2012). Schlick argues that internal constraints have the potential to limit our freedom in the decision making; nonetheless human actions can be termed free when our actions are resultants of rational desires that are unimpeded. A materialist, Dennett believes that, human being is the only specie on this planet having an evolved creation of activities by humans and beliefs, distinct from all other biological conditions.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Compatibilism

There are many strengths of compatibilism. One is that, it provides the basis of enforceable laws that are universal and this alone is a very strong reason. It is evident that our choices are influenced by our desires. Therefore nay internal factor cannot be blamed for our own choices. If I choose to hit my friend James, then it is sure that, I ...