The Problem Of Free Will

In this paper I will present an argument against free will and then I will defend a response to that argument. Free will is defined as having the ability to make our own choices. Some will argue that all of our decisions have already been dictated by our desires therefore we never actually truly make our own choices. The purpose of this paper is to defend the argument that we have free will by attacking the premise that states we have no control over what we desire. I will defeat this premise by showing how one does have control over his/her desires through the idea of self-control. I will then defend my argument against likely rebuttals that state that there is still no way to control our desires proving that we do have free will.

Whether we have free will is widely controversial. The absence of a universal definition poses a primary problem to this question. In this essay, I shall base my argument on a set of three conditions for free will: 1) that the actor is unconstraint in his action, 2) the actor could have acted otherwise and 3) the actor must be ‘ultimately responsible’ (Kane, 2005: 121) for his action. After I have explained them, I shall apply these conditions to three scenarios that cover most, if not any, circumstances that occur when taking choices. The purpose of this essay is to show that if my conditions are true, none of the scenarios is based on free will and thus we do not have free will.

The question of free will has been a never ending discussion by philosophers and ordinary everyday people for decades. In this paper I will be analyzing the case of Ethan couch, a 16 year old boy accused of manslaughter under the influence of alcohol, from the three different viewpoints of free will; a hard determinist, a compatibilist and a libertarian. Then I will discuss which view I agree best with under the specific conditions of this case.

The philosophical battle of free will and determinism has been present for centuries, bringing with it a host of moral and ethical implications. However, since scientist’s production of the first recombinant DNA and its hybridization in 1972 (genome.gov) genetic determinism has taken on a new set of circumstances. “Since the 1970s, numerous authors have examined …ethical issues raised by the genetic modification of human beings” (Resnik & Vorhaus, PMC), Octavia Butler being one of them. In her imaginative science-fiction novel, Dawn, she examines the idea of how genetic engineering

Although free will has been defined in multiple, conflicting ways, the present approach analyzes it as a psychological capacity including self-control, choices, planning, and the ability to assess and initiate things independently. These capabilities are useful for making human social life and culture possible, but they depend on a limited resource and therefore often fall short of optimal levels. Religion may be helpful to individuals and society in part because it supports both the exercise of free will and the belief in it.

Are you choosing to read this essay? Or are you just constrained by the laws of nature? David Hume describes The Problem of Free Will as ‘the most contentious question of metaphysics’. Initial exploration into this school of thought gave rise to several philosophical viewpoints supported by modern thinkers. Hard determinism bases its viewpoint on the strict theory of causality, rejecting the idea of free will. On the contrary, Libertarianism opposes this, supporting the concept of free will and denying that a deterministic universe exists. Both of these arguments adhere to incompatibilism as they refute the coexistence of both notions. Subsequently, 18th century Scottish philosopher David Hume (1748) procured his influential proposal of compatibilism, attempting to resolve the debate as he argues that free will necessitates determinism. In this essay, with reference to Eddington and Pink’s work I will evaluate the validity of these viewpoints conveying that free will is conceptually illogical and demonstrate that Hume’s compatibility cannot overcome these flaws due to his unsatisfactory definition of free will as pointed out by Robert Taylor. Consequently, the existence of free will for humans is impossible.

A Clockwork Orange demonstrates the philosophically issues of free will and determinism through how the main character was treated in the movie. It also addresses important issues such as ethics, philosophy of the mind, free will and determinism, and the problem of perception. Philosophers such as John Hospers, B.F. Skinner, and Jean-Paul Sartre have different views on the issue through their theories of how individuals are or are not responsible for the free will choices that they make in life. The main character in the movie was a very violent , and reckless person. He participated in sinful acts such as being a gang member, raping women, being involved in fights, etc. These actions resulted in him being sent to prison and eventually being brainwashed into doing things out of his character. The three philosophers have very different interpretations of how the main character should have been dealt with and the reasonings behind his actions.

Recall: In “The Case Against Free Will” the authors present several claims: 1) The universe is a huge deterministic system where all events are result of prior causes. 2) Human actions are shaped by genetic determinism and environmental determinism. 3) All behaviors and actions of men are triggered by genetic make-up and social conditioning; thus, man has no free will. 4.)

William Rowe defines gratuitous evil as an instance of intense suffering which an omnipotent, omniscient being could have prevented without thereby losing some greater good or permitting some evil equally bad or worse.(Rowe 335) In a world with so much evil it raises the questions If God is all powerful, all knowing and all good, how can he allow bad things to happen to good people? Can God even exist in a world with so such gratuitous evil? These are questions that has afflicted humanity for a very long time and has been the question to engross theologians for centuries. The existence of evil has been the most influential and powerful reason to disprove the existence of God. It is believed among many theist that God is the creator and caretaker

Belief in free will is the belief in self-determination. Humanity exists with a philosophical principle that humans have specific control over individual choices; thus, are in control of their own destiny. Belief in free will gives validity and responsibility to one’s own choices and life. Without this belief humans would lose part of their individualism and control. Actions would only be determined by external forces. Consequently, ideas on self-worth, ethics, accountability, and societal relationships would be meaningless. Mankind needs to feel that multiple choices are available and obtainable. Writers during the 18th century focused on the ideas of free will. This determination was innate, yet factors within society and individuals that influenced this autonomy, such as social immorality. The ideas of self-sovereignty have been examined through various sections of literature. Consequently, John Milton’s “Paradise Lost”, William Shakespeare’s “King Lear”, and Mary Astell “From Some Reflections upon Marriage” examine free wills effect on humanity in relation to corruption, enslavement to desires, and dangers/benefits.

Gideon frowned lightly at the letter and shoved it away in a pocket. "Something wrong?" Wali asked who noticed Gideon's frown out of his peripheral vision. "Yeah...just something me and Aria need to talk about, nothing to worry yourself with kid." Gideon replied in monotone and Wali nodded and he threw his arm up in the air. The hawk on instinct ascended upward. "Return to Aria!" Wali replied the hawk then flew off.

The young man who told Betty Clay his name was Jason felt he had not gotten what he had worked hard for in life. He knew of the law of life that said you get what you earn, but he didn’t think what he had gotten of recent was a fair return. If you work hard, you get good things. If you treat people right, they will treat you accordingly. His understanding of what should be happening was different from what was actually happening.

In this essay I will explain why I think the strongest position of the free will debate is that of the hard determinists and clarify the objection that moral responsibility goes out the door if we don’t have free will by addressing the two big misconceptions that are associated with determinists: first that determinism is an ethical system, and secondly that contrary to common belief determinists do believe in the concept of cause and effect. I will also begin by explaining my position and why I believe that the position of the indeterminist does not hold water as an argument and the third

An individual with “Free Will” is capable of making vital decisions and choices in life with own free consent. The individual chooses these decisions without any outside influence from a set of “alternative possibilities.” The idea of “free will” imposes a certain kind of power on an individual to make decisions of which he or she is morally responsible. This implies that “free will” would include a range of aspects such as originality, moral value, and self-governance. However, in life, individuals may not be free in making decisions. The aspect of freedom could entail remarkably a high status action and achievement in an individual’s life whose attainment could be close to impossibility. Often, people make

In Paradise Lost, Milton explores the fall of mankind through the story of Adam and Eve, in which God forbids Adam and Eve to eat from the Tree of Knowledge. In the Garden of Eden where Adam and Eve reside and work, God grants them free will. This free will allows Adam and Eve to accept or reject God, as well as make independent decisions without any coercion from God. Luther, a prominent philosophical and religious figure that was often referred to as “The Father of the Reformation”, took a different approach to explaining free will in his famous work titled On The Freedom of A Christian. Prior to the Reformation, there was a rise of individualism and increased lay piety, or piety of ordinary people. In addition, there was also a rise of voluntarism.