Deck 21: Compatibilism: How to Have Your Cake and Eat It Too

Question 1

According to the compatibilist, an action can be determined and voluntary.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

The libertarian would differ with the compatibilist on the definition of "free actions."

Answer 2

True

Question 3

The compatibilist claims that since our actions are determined, none of them can be free.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

The compatibilist claims that the reasons for our actions are really causes that we did not choose.

Question 5

According to Harry Frankfurt, second-order desires are the positive or negative attitudes we have toward our first-order desires.

Question 6

According to the compatibilist, we can be morally responsible for some of our actions even though they are determined.

Question 7

The compatibilist believes that actions done from neurotic compulsions are voluntary as long as they were not forced on us by external causes.

Question 8

Libertarians claim that the compatibilist's distinction between voluntary and involuntary actions is questionable because

A) all actions are really voluntary.
B) both kinds of actions are caused, according to the compatibilist.
C) the compatibilist doesn't believe there are voluntary actions.
D) all of the above

Question 9

The compatibilist seeks to reconcile determinism and

A) freedom.
B) moral responsibility.
C) voluntary actions.
D) all of the above

Question 10

Stace claims that a free action is an action which

A) is impossible.
B) has as its immediate causes, states of affairs external to the agent.
C) has no determining cause.
D) has as its immediate causes, psychological states in the agent.

Question 11

According to the compatibilist, when we act on the basis of reasons, our action is

A) caused and voluntary.
B) caused and involuntary.
C) uncaused and voluntary.
D) uncaused and involuntary.

Question 12

According to the compatibilist, the statement "I could have done otherwise"is

A) meaningless, since we have no free will.
B) based on the assumption that we are not determined.
C) equivalent to the statement "I would have done otherwise if I had so chosen."
D) a and b

Question 13

How would the determinist, the libertarian, and the compatibilist answer the question: "Are we ever morally responsible for our actions?" State the reasons each would give for their answer.

Question 14

Discuss how libertarians and compatibilists differ in their definition of "free action." Explain how each would attack the other's definition.

Question 15

In what ways do determinists and compatibilists agree concerning the causes of our behavior? In what ways do they disagree concerning whether our actions are ever free andvoluntary? In what ways might the determinists and libertarian disagree with the compatibilistconcerning the conditions necessary to be morally responsible?