Metaphysical Club Analysis

Their wills, which are believed to be freely gained, are actually the result of a causal chain originating from birth. The fact that humans are governed by their genes and environment means that the ability to make moral decisions as free agents is illusory. For these reasons, the hard determinist position, which is a sound, science-based theory, seems to be incompatible with the concept of free will.

Strawson negates the pessimist’s argument because it asks us to make our attitudes wholly objective, which isn’t humanly possible, thus making this argument futile. He elaborates on the optimist’s view by introducing the belief that our moral attitudes are facts of our natural human commitment to interpersonal relationships and we are incapable of ignoring them. Regardless of determinism, moral concepts are relevant and they shape all human action, including the practices enforced by social institutions. Strawson says that because human action is guided by moral attitudes which we naturally form and are not constrained by any evident notion of pre-ordination, we are free.

What is morality? Where does our sense of morality come from and why is it important for us to know? The cognitive scientist, psychologist, linguist, and scholar, Steven Pinker discusses this in his essay, “The Moral Instinct”. In this essay, Pinker claims that our morality sense is innate, it constantly changes, and it is universal among each culture. Pinker also explains that moral sense shapes our judgement as it is something that we value and seek in other people. The science of the moral sense is important since it shows how morality impacts our actions and it explains why we act in certain ways.

People make choices on a daily basis on different things. Whether these choices are on a larger or smaller scale is completely up to that said individual. Two authors being examined today made choices that profess upon their beliefs and that reflected their moral code. These two authors in question are Henry David Thoreau and Thomas Paine. Paine professed his belief of self-reliance and being in tuned with nature itself by living on his own for an extended amount of time in a cabin on the edge of town. Meanwhile Thoreau professes his belief of being spiritually open minded and anti-Christian belief. Both follow these professions with well suited arguments that seem more alike than it seems. Both authors connect the theme of closely examining choice and being diligent with said choices.

We know what is right not by choice but by design, we have a conscience to do right.

Rebecca Saxe’s Do the Right Thing: Cognitive Science’s Search for a Common Morality analyzes multiple research studies performed on the ethical ideas of morality. Saxe uses three current studies to validate her argument, including a Harvard internet study, research on the cognitive activity in the brains of an infant, and analysis of brain imaging using an fMRI. She uses logos and ethos in this essay to support her argument that scientific research will never fully explain the process that a human takes to make a sound, moral judgement, despite all of the innovative studies being performed. Saxe begins her argument by presenting a scenario that helps the reader to further understand the topic being discussed: moral dilemmas. The scenario includes

Journalist John Tierney, in his article, “Do You Have Free Will? Yes, It’s the Only Choice,” explores the notion of free will and exhibits how belief or disbelief in free will affects an individual’s life. By posing a hypothetical situation through rhetorical questions, incorporating experimental research, and using accusatory diction towards the opposing perspective, Tierney conveys his perception that a regard for free will allows for individuals to gain a greater sense of morality and ambition, even if the notion of free will is still disputed.

The Origins of Morality: How Nature, Nurture, and Especially Free Will Influence One’s Moral Framework

“God created things which had free will”, said C.S Lewis, “That means creatures which can go wrong or right. Some people think they can imagine a creature which was free but had no possibility of going wrong, but I can’t. If a thing is free to be good it’s also free to be bad.” Lewis brushes smoothly upon the idea of how humans, as free willed individuals, have always been believed to be able to decide their own destiny. Man has given himself the right to choose what he wants, as well as who he wants to be. Human souls are born with the capacity to hold light and darkness; good and evil. Although one may be born in a family tree that consists of only witches and demons, he does not have to follow this path if does not wish

In In 1759, Adam Smith, a Scottish economist, philosopher, and author, published The Theory of Moral Sentiments. This was right around the time of the Seven Years’ War. This book suggests that conscience arises from dynamic and interactive social relationships. People then seek “mutual sympathy of sentiments.”

In this passage, Carter conveyed her character (Red) who was portrayed to be a sheltered, naive, barely developed teenager, to choose between the religious ways she’s been taught or to survive. Red had seen both outcomes the minute she saw the tuft of white hair in the fireplace. To me, this screams fighting yourself to either do what you’ve been programmed your whole life and cease to exist, or to do everything possible to survive. I believe many of us still fight ourselves, especially if we’re aware of our habits. Habits that have been set in stone since the earliest memories of our consciousness, right or wrong. I think that morals stand for good reason. To keep the peace in society- to keep us on the right path. But when it comes down to

Morality is defined as a system or code that we humans use to differentiate between right and wrong. This system could be derived from a number of factors: religion, culture, and upbringing. It is difficult enough to determine what an individual's morals are, but going further to determine how we came to possess those morals is even more ambitious. Still, regardless of its difficulty, this subject consumes many philosophers and psychologists. One such moral psychologists, Jonathan Haidt, is theorizing the possibility of evolution causing ones morality. Haidt is a moral psychologist at the Universtiy of Virgina further believes that complex social structures such as religion and politics as well as our need for social structures affect

Natural law theory is based on human nature and its predisposition to do good. The determination of what’s good and evil, however, is often drawn

Our natural state within the universe when compared to the scale of history is extremely insignificant, and arises the fluid thought that our complete conscious existence relies on evolutionary accidents. It becomes clear with time that our knowledge of ourselves as a population of species compared to any other mammals is quite significant but yet completely detrimental to the health of our universe. We must be able as humans to grasp these concepts and particularly build a world better suited for future figures to give philosophical thoughts and aspects as the human race continues to develop. There is a shortcoming with our behavior, as Rachels describes, that if an action would help satisfy our own self-interest, than we see the most reason to perform such tasks. This leaves us prone to being selfish and to sometimes hold interests out of other people’s version of acceptable behavior. Rachels signifies that all people do not have to follow any one true combination of morals, ethics, or

Morality is an important component of a human being because it helps shape the ethical foundation that every human being has. Whether to be good, evil, honest, or deceitful are just some of the traits morality helps us develop. Thus, it is evident that morality is a crucial component of a human being. However, what ultimately drives moral action? This question is debated and investigated against many philosophers, a few of them being Thomas Hobbes, Frans de Waal, and David Hume.