In the “Problems of Philosophy”, Chapter 9: “The Debate Over Free Will”, James Rachels and Stuart Rachels, investigate over freewill. Throughout the chapter the authors discuss what free will means and the ways to evaluate if we are free. The chapter moves towards the Free Will Argument using the Determinist Argument, the Libertarian Response, the Compatibilist Response and additionally covering the ethics involved with the chapter of free will.
The chapter begins with the determinist argument which claims that everything that happens must happen, given the law of nature and the history of the universe. The arguments also state that: (a) Everything we do is caused by forces over which we have no control. (b) If our actions are caused by forces …show more content…
While Libertarianism claims humans are capable of entirely free actions several arguments have been in favor of this theory like the argument from experience, the argument that the universe is not a deterministic system, the argument that we cannot predict our own decisions and the argument from accountability but still there is not a solution to the problem of free will. Compatibilism is the idea that an act can be both free and determined at the same time. According to Rachels, Contrary to what you might think, we can accept the idea that human behavior is free while also acknowledging that it is determined by the Laws of Nature. This theory goes through the argument of free will as involving determinism and discussing the problem with Compatibilism, which states that we are free if …show more content…
But it is not up to us what went on before we were born, and neither is it up to us what the laws of nature are. Therefore, the consequences of these things (including our present acts) are not up to us” (118). However, van Inwagen’s argument ca be extended to our desires and values themselves. Another interesting quote that Bertrand Russell thought it enlighten and gave an example of thought on responsibility is:
“No man treats a motorcar as foolishly as he treats another human being. When the car will not go, he does not attribute its annoying behavior to sin; he does not say, “You are wicked motorcar, and I shall not give you any more petrol until you go.” He attempts to find out what is wrong and to set it right”’ (121). Here author shows his/her view on responsibility that grasp my attention. The topic Free Will as Involving Determinism was a bit to me. The questions from the chapter that confused me are “If no caused action could be free, then what could free actions be like?” (117). These questions for compatibilism was bewildering and was
The chapter begins with the determinist argument which claims that everything that happens must happen, given the law of nature and the history of the universe. The arguments also state that: (a) Everything we do is caused by forces over which we have no control. (b) If our actions are caused by forces …show more content…
While Libertarianism claims humans are capable of entirely free actions several arguments have been in favor of this theory like the argument from experience, the argument that the universe is not a deterministic system, the argument that we cannot predict our own decisions and the argument from accountability but still there is not a solution to the problem of free will. Compatibilism is the idea that an act can be both free and determined at the same time. According to Rachels, Contrary to what you might think, we can accept the idea that human behavior is free while also acknowledging that it is determined by the Laws of Nature. This theory goes through the argument of free will as involving determinism and discussing the problem with Compatibilism, which states that we are free if …show more content…
But it is not up to us what went on before we were born, and neither is it up to us what the laws of nature are. Therefore, the consequences of these things (including our present acts) are not up to us” (118). However, van Inwagen’s argument ca be extended to our desires and values themselves. Another interesting quote that Bertrand Russell thought it enlighten and gave an example of thought on responsibility is:
“No man treats a motorcar as foolishly as he treats another human being. When the car will not go, he does not attribute its annoying behavior to sin; he does not say, “You are wicked motorcar, and I shall not give you any more petrol until you go.” He attempts to find out what is wrong and to set it right”’ (121). Here author shows his/her view on responsibility that grasp my attention. The topic Free Will as Involving Determinism was a bit to me. The questions from the chapter that confused me are “If no caused action could be free, then what could free actions be like?” (117). These questions for compatibilism was bewildering and was