Determinism: All events (including
human actions) have specific causes
Baron
d’Holbach: the brain is
material; its actions (e.g.,
thought, will) are dictated by
physical laws, heredity, and
environment
(1723-89)
(Hard) Determinism
 Behavior
is caused by unconscious desires and
fears (Freud) or environment and heredity
(Skinner). Freedom is an illusion; people are
not responsible for their actions—though they
can be held responsible for social purposes
Objections: how we can challenge or
change our attitudes if we are determined?
Why not explain behavior with reasons, not
causes?
Hume
Compatibilism/Soft Determinism:
freedom is compatible with determinism
A “free”
act is simply one that is caused
(i.e., preceded) by our choice or act of will.
We are free when we can do what we want.
choice/will/personality
(free)
cause
act
external threats/constraints
cause
(not free)
Objection: aren’t choices caused by “external”
forces (e.g., genetics, culture, upbringing)?
In Defense of Free Will:
Thomas Reid
We
(1710-96)
are conscious of exerting our wills,
deliberating, and thinking of ourselves
as free to have done otherwise
If we are not free, regret, guilt, and
holding others responsible for actions
make no sense
Freedom - Determinism Theories
Indeterminism:
like sub-atomic events, free
actions are unpredictable, because nothing
causes them
Objection:
if free human actions are chance or
random events, then we could not control our
“free” actions or be responsible for them
Agency
Theory: our free choices define our
selves: this is what we experience (and is what
our theory should explain)
Objection:
how can “we” be both cause & effect?