Deck 20: Libertarianism

Question 1

The libertarian believes that if our choices are inevitable, then there is no moral responsibility.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Libertarians, by definition, claim that all our actions are free.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

The libertarian claims that free actions are causally undetermined.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

The determinist would say that a decision made after deliberation is caused by whichever desire is the strongest.

Question 5

According to the determinist, the fact that we feel ourselves to be free does not imply that we are free.

Question 6

The determinist responds to the argument from deliberation by saying that

A) we never really deliberate between two actions.
B) the feeling of deliberation occurs when we are caught between two conflicting desires.
C) situations in which we deliberate are times when the will is not determined, but this represents only a small percent of human actions.
D) determinism has no explanation for deliberation, but the opposing arguments for determinism are so strong, this libertarian argument need not be taken seriously.

Question 7

Contrary to determinism, Chisholm and Taylor believe that free actions are

A) caused by the strongest desire within us.
B) completely random and uncaused.
C) the inevitable result of the agent's psychological state.
D) produced by the agents themselves, without being caused by antecedent conditions.

Question 8

In explaining agent causation, Chisholm compares the actions of free agents to

A) the actions of God.
B) a computer running a program.
C) the reflex action of one's knee jerking.
D) a subatomic particle exhibiting unpredictable behavior.

Question 9

An objection against the argument from introspection discussed in your text is

A) the Freudian theory that we are often unaware of our motives.
B) the fact that a hypnotized person believes she is free.
C) scientific experiments that show our decisions are made in the brain before we are aware of them.
D) all of the above

Question 10

Some argue that the relevance of quantum physics to human freedom is that it shows that

A) everything in the universe is determined.
B) scientific theories are frequently wrong.
C) there is some indeterminacy in nature.
D) physics is the product of a free and creative mind.

Question 11

Set out the argument from moral responsibility. How might a determinist respond? How strongly do you think the issue of moral responsibility supports the libertarian's position?

Question 12

Briefly describe a decision you have made that required some deliberation. Explain how a determinist would account for the fact that you had to struggle with this decision if all yourbehavior is determined.

Question 13

What is the notion of agent causation developed by Chisholm and Taylor? What view of the self does it assume?

Question 14

What objections have been made to the arguments from introspection?

Question 15

What is the argument from quantum physics? How is it used to support libertarianism? Why is it controversial?