Free Will

Free Will

1. The idea that we are able to have some choice in how we act and assumes that we are free to choose our actions- self determinined

   • Does not mean behaviour is random,but we are free from the causal inferences of past events

2. A person is morally responsible for their actions

3. Personal Agency- the choices we make in life, the paths we go down and their consequences

4. Types of freedom

   • External Freedom- can do what you wish without external obstacles
   • Internal Freedom- achieved when someone is no longer bound to certain habits, mental attitudes, or emotions
   • Political Freedom - freedom to exercise one's rights as garuanteed under the laws of the country

5. Arguments for free will

   • Observation- why believe you aren't able to choose freely if you observe yourself choosing freely?
   • Moral Responsibility- people feel guilt after doing something they believe is wrong, you wouldn't feel guilt if you weren't morally responsible
   • Anti-Determinism Argument- what caused the first event? and at a quantumn level things happen that are uncaused