Question 1

What is determinism? Explain one serious consequence of believing that the thesis of determinism is true.

Accepted Answer

good essay will:
Briefly describe the thesis of determinism.
State one consequence of believing in determinism and explain the problem(s) it raises for this view.
If possible, illustrate your answer with examples.

Question 2

What do you think it means to say that you could have done otherwise than you did?

Accepted Answer

To say that you could have done otherwise than you did means that you had the ability or freedom to make a different choice or take a different course of action in a given situation. It implies that there were alternative options available to you, and that you had the power to choose among them. This concept is often discussed in the context of free will and moral responsibility, as it raises questions about the extent to which individuals are truly in control of their actions and decisions. It also has implications for how we understand the consequences of our choices and the role of external factors in influencing our behavior. Overall, saying that you could have done otherwise acknowledges the complexity of human agency and the multitude of factors that can influence our choices.

Question 3

Do you think that we can be morally responsible for our actions? Explain.

Accepted Answer

Yes, I believe that we can be morally responsible for our actions. Morality is the understanding of what is right and wrong, and as rational beings, we have the ability to make choices and understand the consequences of our actions. When we make a decision, we are taking responsibility for the outcome, and this includes the moral implications of our actions.

Being morally responsible for our actions means that we are accountable for the impact of our choices on ourselves and others. It requires us to consider the ethical implications of our behavior and to act in a way that aligns with our understanding of what is right and just.

While there may be external factors that influence our decisions, ultimately, we have the ability to make choices based on our own moral compass. This means that we have the capacity to be held accountable for our actions and to be judged based on the morality of our behavior.

In conclusion, I believe that we can be morally responsible for our actions because we have the capacity to make choices and understand the ethical implications of our behavior. This responsibility is essential for creating a just and ethical society.

Question 4

Determinism is the thesis that the past and the laws of nature necessitate everything that happens.

Accepted Answer

Determinism posits that all events, including moral choices, are completely determined by previously existing causes, governed by the laws of nature and the state of the universe in the past.

Question 5

According to determinism, all human action can be predicted in advance.

Accepted Answer

Determinism suggests that all events, including human actions, are determined by preceding events and natural laws, but it does not imply that all human actions can be predicted due to the complexity and multitude of influencing factors.

Question 6

Nagel believes that free will can be compatible with determinism.

Accepted Answer

Thomas Nagel is known for his skepticism about the compatibility of free will and determinism, often highlighting the tension between the two concepts.

Question 7

According to Nagel, moral responsibility may be impossible even if determinism is false.

Accepted Answer

Nagel argues that even in a world where determinism is false, factors beyond our control (such as our predispositions, circumstances, and the influence of various external factors) can still undermine our moral responsibility, suggesting that true moral responsibility might be impossible to achieve.

Question 8

According to Nagel, all modern scientists accept that the physical universe operates according to completely deterministic principles.

Accepted Answer

Thomas Nagel and many modern scientists recognize that quantum mechanics introduces elements of indeterminacy or randomness, challenging the notion of a completely deterministic universe.

Question 9

Nagel believes that

Accepted Answer

Nagel argues that determinism poses a challenge to the concept of moral responsibility, suggesting that if our actions are entirely determined by prior states (including our psychological states), it undermines the sense of acting freely, which is essential for moral responsibility. Thus, all of the provided statements reflect aspects of Nagel's views on the relationship between determinism, free will, and moral responsibility.

Question 10

Nagel claims that if determinism is true, then all our actions are

Accepted Answer

The answer of Nagel claims that if determinism is true,...

Question 11

One problem Nagel claims we face if determinism is true is

Accepted Answer

Nagel argues that if determinism is true, it poses a problem for the concept of moral responsibility, as our actions would be the result of prior causes rather than free choices.

Question 12

According to one view Nagel discusses, an action can be free and causally determined if

Accepted Answer

Nagel discusses the view that an action can be both free and causally determined if it is determined by internal factors, such as the agent's own psychological causes (e.g., beliefs, desires, character). This contrasts with external compulsion or coercion, where the agent's freedom is compromised.

Question 13

Nagel rejects the idea that

Accepted Answer

Nagel argues against the deterministic view that all actions are completely determined by prior physical and psychological conditions, maintaining that individuals have some degree of free will and personal responsibility for their actions.

Question 14

Explain how determinism might be thought to threaten our responsibility.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain how determinism might be thought to...

Question 15

Explain how indeterminism might be thought to threaten our responsibility.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain how indeterminism might be thought to...

Question 16

Do you think that you could have eaten something different for breakfast than you did eat? Explain what this means to you and why you do or do not think it is true.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Do you think that you could have...

Question 17

Do you agree with Stace that his definition of "free will" matches our ordinary use of the term? Explain.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Do you agree with Stace that his...

Question 18

Explain why Stace claims that philosophers who deny free will assume a certain definition of "free will."

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain why Stace claims that philosophers who...

Question 19

How does Stace distinguish between free actions and unfree actions? Do you agree with him? Explain.

Accepted Answer

The answer of How does Stace distinguish between free actions...

Question 20

On Stace's view, the problem of free will is more apparent than real.

Accepted Answer

Stace argues that the problem of free will versus determinism is a verbal dispute that arises from a confusion of different meanings of freedom. He believes that when properly understood, the apparent contradiction between free will and determinism dissolves, making the problem more apparent than real.

Quiz 5: Free Will