Free Will and Moral
Responsibility Revision
Hard Sheet
Determinism Determini
Determinism is the belief that a specific set of
sm
conditions can only produce one possible
outcome, given fixed laws of nature
Hard Determinism
Hard determinism posits that every event has a cause (universa
causation), and given the same conditions, only one effect is
possible (causal necessity).
It is an incompatibilist view, meaning that free will is not compa
with determinism; we "could not do otherwise." These claims
upon inductive reasoning
Types of Hard
Determinism -
Scientific Physical Determinism
This perspective suggests that universal causation traces back t
the Big Bang.
LaPlace's Demon illustrates this, proposing that a being with a
sufficiently powerful intellect and knowledge of all atoms and la
of nature could predict every effect.
If humans are physical beings, then volition is part of the causal
chain, leaving no room for human decision-making. No gap in
universal causation exists in which human decision-making cou
occur. This argument rests on the idea that humans are totally
physical beings.
• Patricia Churchland's case study: The man with a brain tumor
showcases how physical changes can directly influence behavior
(pedophilic tendencies).
, Free Will and Moral
Responsibility Revision
Hard Sheet
Determini
Types of Hard Determinism -
sm
Psychological Determinism
(Behaviourism)
According to this view, our actions are based
on environmental
Behaviourism, conditions.
pioneered by figures like B.F. Skinner, emphasise
we are conditioned by our environment through associative lear
Skinner states we can ‘attribute free will to nothingness’.
• Classical conditioning: As demonstrated by Pavlov's dogs, where a
stimulus becomes associated with a natural response through repeat
pairings.
• Operant conditioning: A system of rewards and punishments used
modify behaviour, as exemplified by Skinner's box. Positive reinforce
increases the likelihood of a behaviour, while punishment decreases
Skinner argued that free will is simply an illusion created by reinforce
histories.
- Can we distinguish influence from control?
Questions to think about with behaviourism:
- Can we generalise from animal behaviour to human behaviour?
- If all behaviour is a product of conditioning, is behaviourism itself a
conditioned response (self-defeating)?
Theological Determinism/Predestination
Theological determinism is based on God's nature:
P1: God is omniscient and perfect.
P2: If God is omniscient, then God knows the past, present, and
future.
Responsibility Revision
Hard Sheet
Determinism Determini
Determinism is the belief that a specific set of
sm
conditions can only produce one possible
outcome, given fixed laws of nature
Hard Determinism
Hard determinism posits that every event has a cause (universa
causation), and given the same conditions, only one effect is
possible (causal necessity).
It is an incompatibilist view, meaning that free will is not compa
with determinism; we "could not do otherwise." These claims
upon inductive reasoning
Types of Hard
Determinism -
Scientific Physical Determinism
This perspective suggests that universal causation traces back t
the Big Bang.
LaPlace's Demon illustrates this, proposing that a being with a
sufficiently powerful intellect and knowledge of all atoms and la
of nature could predict every effect.
If humans are physical beings, then volition is part of the causal
chain, leaving no room for human decision-making. No gap in
universal causation exists in which human decision-making cou
occur. This argument rests on the idea that humans are totally
physical beings.
• Patricia Churchland's case study: The man with a brain tumor
showcases how physical changes can directly influence behavior
(pedophilic tendencies).
, Free Will and Moral
Responsibility Revision
Hard Sheet
Determini
Types of Hard Determinism -
sm
Psychological Determinism
(Behaviourism)
According to this view, our actions are based
on environmental
Behaviourism, conditions.
pioneered by figures like B.F. Skinner, emphasise
we are conditioned by our environment through associative lear
Skinner states we can ‘attribute free will to nothingness’.
• Classical conditioning: As demonstrated by Pavlov's dogs, where a
stimulus becomes associated with a natural response through repeat
pairings.
• Operant conditioning: A system of rewards and punishments used
modify behaviour, as exemplified by Skinner's box. Positive reinforce
increases the likelihood of a behaviour, while punishment decreases
Skinner argued that free will is simply an illusion created by reinforce
histories.
- Can we distinguish influence from control?
Questions to think about with behaviourism:
- Can we generalise from animal behaviour to human behaviour?
- If all behaviour is a product of conditioning, is behaviourism itself a
conditioned response (self-defeating)?
Theological Determinism/Predestination
Theological determinism is based on God's nature:
P1: God is omniscient and perfect.
P2: If God is omniscient, then God knows the past, present, and
future.
