Free Will and Determinism

Free Will and Determinism

1. HOW FREE ARE WE, IF AT ALL?!

2. Key Terms

   • Hard Determinists
     • They believe that 'all human actions are effects, caused by prior influences/causes.
   • Libertarians
     • They maintain that we are free to act (have free will) and are morally responsible for those actions
   • Soft Determinists
     • They maintain that some human actions are determined, but that we still have moral responsibility
     • Soft Determinism is also known as Compatibilism (free will compatible with determinism)
   • Incompatibilists
     • They maintain that free will and determinism are incompatible.
     • Libertarians and Hard Determinists are Incompatibilists
       • Determinism?
         • TRUE?
           • Free Will
             • TRUE?
               • SOFT DETERMINISM = COMPATIBILISM
             • FALSE
               • Hard Determinism
                 • INCOMPATIBILISM - it's logical! You either have it or you don't!
         • FALSE
           • Libertarianism
             • = Free Will and Moral Responsibility

3. Key Questions

   • Do human actions have causes beyond our control?
   • What if the ability to make free moral choices is an illusion?
   • Can we be morally responsible for our actions if they were influenced or fixed by external forces?