Free will and determinism

Free will and determinism

1. Hard determinism-The teaching that denies that humanity has free will and believe that all actions have a prior cause. It removes moral responsibility for actions

   • PINKER- We are not 'morally free', its not our choice to be moral, morality is a result of evolution, survival of the fittest
   • LOCKE-Example of a man who wakes up in a room that is unknown to him, it is locked from the outside. H e chooses to stay in the room believing he has chosen freely- In reality he has no option. Ignorance gives the illusion of freedom.
   • FREUD- Our childhood is the key to the way we develop and act morally.
   • DAWKINS-Evolutionary Biologist, Supports the view with his theory of 'The Selfish Gene'. We are moral only to survive and pass on our DNA.
   • Strengths- Allows us to take no responsibility for our actions. Takes into consideration genetic, social and environmental factors.
   • Weaknesses- No moral responsibility- Break down in justice system. Psychological effect-everything is predetermined- no point in life.

2. Soft determinism- The teaching that says we can be both determined and free, as some of our moral choices are free but aspects of our nature are determined.

   • SPINOZA- 'Man thinks himself in control, for this reason alone, that he is conscious of his actions and ignorant of their courses.
   • SOWELL-'Man is infinitely plastic' and is moulded by external forces to determine who we are, removing, to some extent, our freedom to make moral choice.
   • HUME-Predetermined events which you cannot control create free will. You spontaneously make decisions this is a decision that cannot be predetermined. Creating free will.
   • Strengths- Most evidence for this theory. Not entirely responsible- still accountability. Balanced justice system.
   • Weaknesses- What actions are we responsible for and what are predetermined. How far are we controlled?

3. Libertarianism- The theory claims that we are morally responsible for all our actions and are free to make choices.

   • PALMER- Determinism confuses contingent truths with necessary truths.
   • THOMAS REED- 'common sense' philosophy entered around the idea human beings have free will and although they are limited by nature this does not effect their free will.
   • Strengths- Freedom to act the way you wish. Accountability. Mean to life.
   • Weaknesses- Our genetic make-up is a huge aspect of our appearance and behaviour. Can we be both determined and free?

4. The Sciences

   • Psychology- Influenced by nureoscience. The function of the brain effects human behaviour. The effects of chemical on the electrical charges determine peoples attitudes. Clinical experiments- when the brain is starved of O2= more aggression.
   • Genetics-Most scientists argue morality is due to both genetics and the environment. Discovery of the hunter gene- results in people displaying meow aggressive behaviour. Discovery of the genome.
   • Social Conditioning- Learnt behaviour from our parents, education, popular culture, friends. ex 1971 prison experiment: Planned for two weeks, only lasted six days. Guards became more abusive, prisoners more stressed. 'only few people were able to resist the situation at temptation to yield power and dominance.'

5. Predestination

   • Judaeo-Christian- we are free an autonomous because of Adam and Eve's freedom in the Garden of Eden.
   • Support from Aquinas- ''man chooses not of necessity but freely.''
   • Romans 8- ''Forethose God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his son.''
   • John Calvin- Behaviour isn't predestined, belief is. God is omniscient and already knows if we are going to be moral. 'Eternal life is fore-ordained for some, and eternal damnation for others.''
   • Martin Luther- Human beings are controlled by the power of Sin. Humans know what is morally right but fail to do it. Only when you recognise trying to hard is wrong, salvation is possible. Humans fallen children of Adam and Eve. Illustration: Given money to charity with the wrong intent

6. Case Studies

   • Jamie Bulger- Toddler then from shopping centre by two young boys, Robert Thompson and Jon Venables. Deprived backgrounds, witness to violent TV and bullying. Parallels drawn between a horror film and Jamie's murder.
   • Leopold and Loeb trail.Highly intelligent, wealthy young men- bored. Planned the 'perfect murder'. Considered murdering their own fathers. Friends and lovers. During the trail- defence Darrow, long time advocate against the death penalty. DARROW ARGUED: '' Why did they kill little Bobby Franks? Nit for money, not for spite, not for hate. They killed him as they might kill a spider or a fly, for the experience. They killed him because they were made that way.