Name: __________________________________________
Phil-001 Winter 2013 Take-home Exam (Final Essay) – Free Will and Ethics
Your final essay is meant to be a reflective assignment where you ponder the existence of free will. In
your essay you will reflect upon the readings and the film “Minority Report” in order to answer the
questions found below.
Requirements: 2-4 pages, 12-pt font, double spaced, submitted via email. The paper should be written
in your own words. All ideas you share from others must be either paraphrased or be placed in quotes
with proper attribution. Plagiarism will result in an automatic F.
Your response will be graded based upon the following criteria.
1. Does the response directly address the question asked?
2. Does the response demonstrate a good understanding of the readings and material
presented in class?
3. Does the response provide a quality response backed by careful reasoning, rather than
opinion and unsupported claims?
Questions
1. Based on our readings and class discussions, summarize the four main arguments for
believing that human beings lack free will.
2. How does the film “Minority Report” explore these arguments? Do you think the film
supports a compatibilist or incompatibilist view of free will?
3. What are some ethical concerns pertaining to the use of a precrime program if pre-cogs
existed? Would you support such a program?
4. Do you believe in free will? Why or why not?