The Free-Will Problem Appendix to Chapter 9 TOK II

Free-Will - Defined Do we truly have free will? Do we truly have free will? 1. The ability or discretion to choose; free choice: chose to remain behind of my own free will. 2. The power of making free choices that are unconstrained by external circumstances or by an agency such as fate or divine will. [Middle English fre wil, translation of Late Latin līberum arbitrium : Latin līberum, neuter of līber, free + Latin arbitrium, will.] [Middle English fre wil, translation of Late Latin līberum arbitrium : Latin līberum, neuter of līber, free + Latin arbitrium, will.]

Why is Free-Will Important? Every time you praise or criticize someone’s actions, you are simply assuming that they are free and could have done otherwise. Every time you praise or criticize someone’s actions, you are simply assuming that they are free and could have done otherwise. To deny its existence is to rob us of our dignity and reduce us to the status of biological machines. To deny its existence is to rob us of our dignity and reduce us to the status of biological machines.

Determinism The universe operates in accordance with the causal principle that every event has a cause. The universe operates in accordance with the causal principle that every event has a cause. Our past actions can be traced to factors beyond out control, thereby robbing us of free-will. Our past actions can be traced to factors beyond out control, thereby robbing us of free-will. Supported by genetics – we inherit traits from our parents. Supported by genetics – we inherit traits from our parents.

Determinism Brain chemistry & physics support determinism: Brain chemistry & physics support determinism: When you raise your arm, it is the result of chemical and physical reaction to your mental state – brain chemistry. When you raise your arm, it is the result of chemical and physical reaction to your mental state – brain chemistry. Is free-will an illusion? Is free-will an illusion?

Pierre LaPlace ( ) He argued that every event in the universe has been rigorously determined by the previous one, and it is – in principle at least – possible to predict the entire future of the universe. He argued that every event in the universe has been rigorously determined by the previous one, and it is – in principle at least – possible to predict the entire future of the universe.

Does Determinism threaten Free-Will? Free-will believers believe we do still have options and, at least sometimes, we are capable of exercising them and making free decisions. Free-will believers believe we do still have options and, at least sometimes, we are capable of exercising them and making free decisions. Fatalism – destiny is written in the stars and there is nothing you can do to change it. Fatalism – destiny is written in the stars and there is nothing you can do to change it.

Responses to the Free-Will Problem 1. reject the claim that every event has a cause and argues this leaves room for free will. 1. reject the claim that every event has a cause and argues this leaves room for free will. 2. accept determinism, but insist free-will and determinism are compatible with each other. 2. accept determinism, but insist free-will and determinism are compatible with each other. 3. accept determinism and conclude that, no matter how unpalatable it might be, free-will is an illusion. 3. accept determinism and conclude that, no matter how unpalatable it might be, free-will is an illusion.

Does EVERY Event have a cause? It seems reasonable that if we look hard enough, we can find a cause for every event – we have to look harder for some things than others. It seems reasonable that if we look hard enough, we can find a cause for every event – we have to look harder for some things than others.

Subatomic Randomness Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle – it is impossible to know both the position and velocity of subatomic particles – denies determinism. Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle – it is impossible to know both the position and velocity of subatomic particles – denies determinism. HOWEVER – anything larger than the subatomic level is cause and effect. HOWEVER – anything larger than the subatomic level is cause and effect.

Capturing a Free Action Moment of hesitation = Free- Will- when we look at menu choices and choose. Moment of hesitation = Free- Will- when we look at menu choices and choose. Even if it is impossible to explain free-will in scientific terms, most of us agree it exists. Even if it is impossible to explain free-will in scientific terms, most of us agree it exists.

Feeling of Freedom – An Illusion? Baruch Spinoza ( ) – perhaps we are simply puppets that are unaware of the causal strings which are pulling us. Baruch Spinoza ( ) – perhaps we are simply puppets that are unaware of the causal strings which are pulling us. The Universe The Universe Orderly – events are causal Orderly – events are causal Chaotic – events are not casual Chaotic – events are not casual

Free-Will & Determinism: Compatible? Cigarette Addictions Cigarette Addictions 1. Is freedom just doing what you want? 2. Can we control our desires? 3. Could you have done otherwise?

Is Free-Will an Illusion? Determinism says that free-will is an illusion. Determinism says that free-will is an illusion. There is no such thing as moral responsibility or rationality. There is no such thing as moral responsibility or rationality. Most people would say that ignoring morality and virtues is too high a price to pay for accepting determinism. Most people would say that ignoring morality and virtues is too high a price to pay for accepting determinism.

Does Determinism Undermine Ethics? In a deterministic world: In a deterministic world: Good people can’t help being good. Good people can’t help being good. Bad people can’t help being bad. Bad people can’t help being bad. Criminals are not responsible for their bad genes or environment but a determinist believes that criminals must be punished to 1) protect society, & 2) modify their future behavior. Criminals are not responsible for their bad genes or environment but a determinist believes that criminals must be punished to 1) protect society, & 2) modify their future behavior.

Does Determinism Undermine Ethics? Retribution theory – justifies punishing criminals on the grounds that they deserve it. Retribution theory – justifies punishing criminals on the grounds that they deserve it. Reform theory – justifies punishing those who are willing to change their behavior. Reform theory – justifies punishing those who are willing to change their behavior. Punishment, unless it leads to reform, is viewed as a crime by determinists. Punishment, unless it leads to reform, is viewed as a crime by determinists.

Does Determinism Undermine Rationality? Reasoning implies that we are free to believe or not believe something. Reasoning implies that we are free to believe or not believe something. If our environment and genes make up who we are, then why do we bother talking? – no room for language in a deterministic realm. If our environment and genes make up who we are, then why do we bother talking? – no room for language in a deterministic realm.

Conclusion There is no easy solution for the free-will problem. There is no easy solution for the free-will problem. There are limits to knowledge and some things simply lie beyond human understanding. There are limits to knowledge and some things simply lie beyond human understanding.

Homework Answer questions page 289 (1-4), 292 (1-3), & 293 (1-2), 294 (1-2), (1-2), 295 (1-3), 298 (1-7), & 299 (1-2).