Question 1

Does science or common sense prove that we have no free will? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The question of whether we have free will is a deeply philosophical one, with implications in science, ethics, and personal belief systems. Both science and common sense have been used to argue for and against the existence of free will.

From a scientific perspective, certain interpretations of quantum mechanics suggest that randomness and indeterminacy are fundamental aspects of the universe, which could allow for free will to exist. However, other scientific approaches, such as determinism, suggest that every event is the result of preceding events in accordance with the laws of nature, which could imply that free will is an illusion.

Neuroscience has also contributed to this debate. Some experiments, such as those conducted by Benjamin Libet in the 1980s, suggest that our brains make decisions before we are consciously aware of them. This has been interpreted by some to mean that our sense of making a free choice is an illusion, as the decision-making process is initiated subconsciously.

On the other hand, common sense might suggest that we do have free will, based on our everyday experiences. We feel as though we make choices all the time – from what to eat for breakfast to moral decisions that affect our lives and the lives of others. This sense of agency is a fundamental part of how we perceive ourselves and interact with the world.

Philosophically, there are several positions on free will. Libertarians argue that free will is real and that determinism is false. Compatibilists believe that free will can coexist with determinism, suggesting that free will is the freedom to act according to one's motivations, which can be determined by prior causes without negating the individual's agency. Hard determinists, however, argue that free will is an illusion and that everything is predetermined.

In conclusion, neither science nor common sense conclusively proves the presence or absence of free will. The debate is ongoing and is likely to continue as our understanding of the brain and the universe evolves. It is a complex topic that touches on various disciplines, and one's stance on free will often depends on how one interprets the evidence and reconciles it with personal beliefs.

Question 2

Can an uncaused event be a free action? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The concept of an uncaused event and a free action are often discussed in the context of philosophical debates about determinism and free will. An uncaused event is one that occurs without any prior cause or determining factors, while a free action is one that is performed by an agent with the ability to make choices and act according to their own will.

In the traditional understanding of free will, it is often argued that free actions are not determined by prior causes, and that individuals have the ability to make choices that are not causally determined by external factors. In this sense, a free action could be seen as an uncaused event, as it is not determined by prior causes or external factors.

However, the concept of an uncaused event is also often associated with randomness and lack of predictability. In this sense, it may be difficult to reconcile the idea of an uncaused event with the notion of a free action, which is typically understood as a deliberate and intentional choice made by an agent.

Ultimately, the relationship between uncaused events and free actions is a complex and debated topic in philosophy. Some argue that free actions can be uncaused in the sense that they are not determined by prior causes, while others argue that free actions are intentional and deliberate choices made by agents, and therefore cannot be considered uncaused events. The answer to whether an uncaused event can be a free action may depend on one's philosophical perspective and interpretation of free will.

Question 3

Is the fact that an event is unconstrained and caused by one's will enough to make it a free action? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The fact that an event is unconstrained and caused by one's will is not necessarily enough to make it a free action. While these factors are important in determining whether an action is free, there are other considerations that also come into play.

For an action to be considered truly free, it must also be the result of rational deliberation and choice. This means that the individual must have the ability to consider different options and make a decision based on their own values, beliefs, and desires. If an action is simply the result of impulsive or instinctual behavior, it may not be considered truly free.

Additionally, the concept of free will is complex and has been the subject of much philosophical debate. Some argue that external factors such as societal influences, genetic predispositions, and past experiences can limit an individual's ability to truly act freely. Others believe that free will is incompatible with determinism, the idea that all events, including human actions, are determined by prior causes.

In conclusion, while the fact that an event is unconstrained and caused by one's will is an important aspect of determining whether an action is free, it is not the only factor to consider. The presence of rational deliberation, the absence of external constraints, and the compatibility with philosophical theories of free will are all important considerations in determining whether an action can be considered truly free.

Question 4

Is the fact that an event is caused by a second-order volition that one decisively identifies with enough to make it a free action?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Is the fact that an event is...

Question 5

Can agent-caused actions be rational? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Can agent-caused actions be rational? Why or...

Question 6

According to libertarianism, would LaPlace's superbeing (who knows all the physical facts about the universe and can perform instantaneous calculations) be able to predict your behavior with 100% accuracy? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to libertarianism, would LaPlace's superbeing (who...

Question 7

Is it logically possible to construct a machine that has free will? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Is it logically possible to construct a...

Question 8

Hard Determinists reject which premise of the following argument?
P1: If every event has a cause, then there are no free actions.
P2: Every event has a cause.
C: There are no free actions.
A) P1: If every event has a cause, then there are no free actions.
B) P2: Every event has a cause.
C) Both Premises
D) Neither Premise

Accepted Answer

Hard Determinists actually accept both premises of the argument. They agree that every event, including human actions, has a cause, and they also agree that this causality means there are no truly free actions.

Question 9

Incompatibilists reject which premise of the following argument?
P1: If every event has a cause, then there are no free actions.
P2: Every event has a cause.
C: There are no free actions.
A) P1: If every event has a cause, then there are no free actions.
B) P2: Every event has a cause.
C) Both Premises
D) Neither Premise

Accepted Answer

Incompatibilists believe that free will and determinism are incompatible. They would reject P1 because they argue that even if every event has a cause, it does not necessarily follow that there are no free actions. They challenge the linkage between causality and the absence of free will.

Question 10

Causal determinism is the belief that
A) every event has a cause.
B) all events are completely disconnected from each other.
C) an effect cannot have more than one cause.
D) some events are uncaused.
E) all events are uncaused

Accepted Answer

Causal determinism is the philosophical concept that every event is necessitated by preceding events and conditions together with the laws of nature.

Question 11

According to the textbook, what is riding on the answer to the problem of free will and determinism?
A) moral and legal responsibility
B) the existence of God
C) the solution to the creation vs. evolution debate
D) justifying legitimate political authority

Accepted Answer

The problem of free will and determinism is crucial for understanding moral and legal responsibility because if our actions are determined, it raises questions about our responsibility for those actions.

Question 12

Which theory does the Merchant in Baghdad story illustrate?
A) Fatalism
B) Hard Determinism
C) Traditional Compatibilism
D) Libertarianism
E) Hierarchical Compatibilism

Accepted Answer

The Merchant in Baghdad story illustrates Fatalism, which is the philosophical doctrine suggesting that all events are predetermined and therefore inevitable. This story, often associated with the inevitability of death, showcases how the merchant's attempt to escape his fate (death) by fleeing to Samarra actually leads him to it, embodying the essence of fatalism.

Question 13

Fatalism is the
A) idea that the future is fixed regardless of what we do.
B) idea that the future is open and uncertain.
C) fear of death.
D) study of death.
E) none of these

Accepted Answer

Fatalism is the philosophical doctrine suggesting that all events are predetermined and therefore inevitable, which aligns with the idea that the future is fixed regardless of human actions.

Question 14

Which of God's attributes seems to undermine free will?
A) omniscience
B) omnibenevolence
C) none of these
D) immutability
E) eternity

Accepted Answer

Omniscience, the attribute of God knowing everything, including future decisions, raises questions about the compatibility of such knowledge with human free will. If God already knows every choice we will make, it can seem as though our decisions are predetermined.

Question 15

In Samuel Butler's Erewhon, people who commit crimes are
A) enslaved by the families of the victims.
B) executed by the police without a trial.
C) put on public display at the zoo.
D) stoned to death.
E) treated in hospitals.

Accepted Answer

In Samuel Butler's "Erewhon," people who commit crimes are treated as if they are ill, reflecting a satirical inversion of how society treats illness and criminality.

Question 16

Psychologists call the process of reinforcing certain behaviors using punishments and rewards ______ conditioning.
A) operant
B) classical
C) selective
D) discipline
E) retreat

Accepted Answer

Operant conditioning is the psychological process of learning through rewards and punishments. It differs from classical conditioning, which involves learning through association, and focuses on strengthening or weakening voluntary behaviors.

Question 17

Sociobiologists believe that our behavior can be explained in terms of
A) political struggles.
B) natural selection.
C) economic pressures.
D) social influences.
E) none of these

Accepted Answer

Sociobiologists argue that much of human behavior can be understood through the lens of natural selection, suggesting that behaviors have evolved because they were advantageous for survival and reproduction.

Question 18

John Hick argues that hard determinism
A) is correct.
B) is self-refuting.
C) is a rational belief.
D) is the basis for intellectual freedom.

Accepted Answer

John Hick argues that hard determinism is self-refuting because if our thoughts and beliefs are determined, then we have no reason to trust our reasoning processes, including the reasoning that leads to determinism.

Question 19

Indeterminists reject which premise of the following argument?
P1: If every event has a cause, then there are no free actions.
P2: Every event has a cause.
C: There are no free actions.
A) P1: If every event has a cause, then there are no free actions.
B) P2: Every event has a cause.
C) Both Premises
D) Neither Premise

Accepted Answer

Indeterminists typically reject P2, "Every event has a cause," because they believe in the possibility of events (including free actions) occurring without predetermined causes, thus allowing for free will.

Question 20

Quantum Mechanics holds that the behavior of _______ are uncaused events.
A) subatomic particles
B) genes
C) igneous rocks
D) Martian soil
E) extinct species

Accepted Answer

Quantum Mechanics, particularly through the principle of quantum indeterminacy, suggests that the behavior of subatomic particles can exhibit randomness or uncaused events, unlike deterministic classical physics.

Quiz 3: Free Will and Determinism

Does science or common sense prove that we have no free will? Why or why not?

Can an uncaused event be a free action? Why or why not?

Is the fact that an event is unconstrained and caused by one's will enough to make it a free action? Why or why not?

Is the fact that an event is caused by a second-order volition that one decisively identifies with enough to make it a free action?

Can agent-caused actions be rational? Why or why not?

According to libertarianism, would LaPlace's superbeing (who knows all the physical facts about the universe and can perform instantaneous calculations) be able to predict your behavior with 100% accuracy? Why or why not?

Is it logically possible to construct a machine that has free will? Why or why not?

Hard Determinists reject which premise of the following argument? P1: If every event has a cause, then there are no free actions. P2: Every event has a cause. C: There are no free actions.

Incompatibilists reject which premise of the following argument? P1: If every event has a cause, then there are no free actions. P2: Every event has a cause. C: There are no free actions.

Causal determinism is the belief that

According to the textbook, what is riding on the answer to the problem of free will and determinism?

Which theory does the Merchant in Baghdad story illustrate?

Fatalism is the

Which of God's attributes seems to undermine free will?

In Samuel Butler's Erewhon, people who commit crimes are

Psychologists call the process of reinforcing certain behaviors using punishments and rewards ______ conditioning.

Sociobiologists believe that our behavior can be explained in terms of

John Hick argues that hard determinism

Indeterminists reject which premise of the following argument? P1: If every event has a cause, then there are no free actions. P2: Every event has a cause. C: There are no free actions.

Quantum Mechanics holds that the behavior of _______ are uncaused events.