Compatibilism Essays - 873 Words

There are 3 basic views that can be taken on the view of determinism, (1) deny its reality, either because of the existence of free will or on independent grounds; (2) accept its reality but argue for its compatibility with free will; or (3) accept its reality and deny its compatibility with free will.In this paper I am going to be defending the view compatibilism, specifically W. T. Stace’s view of compatibilism. Compatibilism is the idea that determinism is true, every event in the world is caused, and that free will still exists. Stace defends this view by saying the problem is the definition of free will. The current definition of what free will is a completely and wholly uncaused action. However this obviously would be completely†¦show more content†¦There are a few criticisms that are brought up against this compatibles view; in fact Stace brings up possible objections himself. The first that I will consider is that there are some cases that are borderline. For example, if somebody has a gun and puts it to your head and commands you to do something it seems that you would have to do it even though the person with the gun is not physically forcing you to do it. However I do not believe this to be a borderline case at all, even if someone is holding a gun to your head you are still making the decision to do whatever it is that they are telling you to do. It is still of your own me ntal state that you will do it out of your own perceived state that whatever they are asking you to do would be preferable to your own death. The second objection that he presents is that if you could somehow know that somebody was going to do an action before they did it (even though this itself is very hard to believe) then how could they have done otherwise. However I do not understand how this is detrimental to this argument of compatibilism. Obviously if someone somehow new 100% for sure that you were going to do something then to even ask if the person could have done otherwise is completely absurd, they obviously would have, as in the first part of the statement its said that they couldn’t. Basically saying that hypothetically you will do an action withShow MoreRelatedTraditional Compatibilism Examples854 Words   |  4 Pagescompatibilist has a simple outlook on a subject that any average human being can grasp. On the outside, it may look confusing, but traditional c ompatibilism is simple once you get through the vocabulary and a few examples. In this essay, I will cover the traditional compatibilists’ analysis on free will, give an example of a counterexample to traditional compatibilism, and my thoughts on why or why not the counterexample is successful in rejecting the traditional compatibilist analysis of free will. ToRead MoreDeterminism, Compatibilism And Libertarianism1955 Words   |  8 Pagesis our life just a script we follow? The question of free will has stumped philosophers for years, in which philosophers have disagreed on the conclusion. There are several perspectives on this issue, the most popular of which are determinism, compatibilism and libertarianism. By discussing the similarities and differences of these perspectives, as well as the strengths and weaknesses, we can determine which of these is most accurate. Determinism is â€Å"the view that every event, including human actionsRead MorePhilosophy comparing libertarianism, compatibilism, and determinism2363 Words   |  10 Pagesï » ¿ Comparing Determinism, Compatibilism, and Libertarianism Patrick C Smith Ivy Tech Community College The question that the textbook poses at the very beginning of chapter four is, â€Å"Are you Free† (Chaffee, 2013, p. 172)? Most people would look at this question as pretty cut and dry and would answer a resounding yes. Philosophically speaking, it is not that easy of an answer. You have to be willing to look at the question with an open mind, and askRead MoreComparing Compatibilism Vs Incompatibilism : A Compatibilist View1332 Words   |  6 PagesCompatibilism vs Incompatibilism: a compatibilist view Does determinism imply that there is no free will, as the incompatibilists argue, or does it allow for free will, as the compatibilists argue? Determinism is the doctrine, that every event, as well as human actions is determined by causes that are independent to the will. From determinism, two opposing views were identified. The incompatibilists view that determinism implies no free will, or the compatibilists view that determinism still allowsRead MoreWhat Is Determinism, Libertarianism, And Compatibilism1161 Words   |  5 Pages In such discussion they have come up with multiple theories. The three I’ll address today are determinism, libertarianism, and compatibilism; are we products of our past unable to choose another course, or are our actions free from the chain of causality and thus our own? I believe that you can’t take these two questions as black and white. In my opinion compatibilism - which attempts to merge free will and determinism - explains our situation as humans, with a sense of moral responsibility, moreRead MoreFree Will : Causal Determinism, Fatalism, And Compatibilism Essay1744 Words   |  7 PagesOn Free Will: Causal Determinism, Fatalism, and Compatibilism. The philosophical questioning of free will is really a matter of the volition of man. That is, free will is a central dogma that many subscribe to that empowers them to be accountable for their own lives and that provides meaning to something that is largely unknown. Free will proves to be a profound and highly debated topic in the philosophical realm. Whether free will truly exists or not is largely implicating in how one perceives theRead MorePersuasive Essay : Animal Lover979 Words   |  4 Pagesbought her and begged to buy her back. Thankfully, he let me purchase her. However, my mother found out that I did this, and I was greatly punished for my acts of rebellion. This morally wrong action that I pursued can be described in terms of compatibilism and determinism. In order to do so, these terms must first be defined. Determinism is the theory that everything in the universe is defined by casual laws (p 218). Human actions in determinism are not free. They are all caused by heredity and environmentRead MoreDo We Have a Free Will? Essay example1462 Words   |  6 Pageseach other in account of our deeds that we had made wrong choices. In Compatibility and moral defense, if an individual is not responsible for the intention then how can that person be responsible for the act? One powerful contemporary form of compatibilism, which is the right answer is â€Å"why not?† one should not think that by somebody`s actions are a result of mental state. Thus, someone ought to do a given task or function if she or he has the ability to do it. The truth of determinism gives us noRead MoreCompatibilism vs. Imcompatibilism: Is There Really Free Will1043 Words   |  5 Pageseach side and to draw possible conclusions to the question and existence of free will. The compatibilist and incompatiblists agree that there are other worlds where there is free will but disagree on the fact that determinism is true. 　　 　　 　　 　　Compatibilism is the idea that there is a connection between ones free will and the actions we take. We are solely responsible for the actions we take. Compatibilists believe that we can be living in a pre determined life, but our free will goes unchanged. WeRead MoreThe Theory Of Free Will950 Words   |  4 Pagesnormally either free or unfree considering the conditions that provoke them. However, the baseline in withholding or granting the acknowledgments of moral responsibility depends on society’s viewpoint. Hard determinism, therefore, is typical of compatibilism, a belief that determinism and free will are compatible ideologies (Koons, 2002). Thus, compatibilist belief holds that it is acceptable to believe in something without being rationally inconsistent. Skinner and Bandura in their studies acknowledged