Written by Sarya Gulec
Whether humans have free will has always been a heated topic in philosophy. On one side, determinism states that our actions are previously decided, leaving no room for genuine free will. On the other hand, libertarianism supports free will by accepting the existence of free will.
Determinism: The Unavoidable Chain of Causes
The idea of determinism has roots in ancient philosophy, from early philosophers like Democritus. Democritus stated that all events result from the actions of atoms governed by universal laws. Since it aligned with Newtonian physics, the idea gained strength in the scientific revolution, reinforcing the idea of a causally closed universe.
Determinism states all events, including human behavior, are consequences of prior events regulated by laws of nature. Positioning free will as an illusion, determinism claims decisions result from a series of preceding causes outside of individual control. Classical determinism, rooted in the physical sciences, portrays the universe as a mechanical system where natural laws predetermine every occurrence.
Libertarianism: The Power of Autonomous Agency
The origins of libertarianism in the context of free will can be traced back to ancient times philosophers, such as Aristotle. In the 20th century, existentialist Jean-Paul Sartre developed the idea.
On the other hand, libertarianism supports the existence of free will, claiming individuals are free to act against the determinism of the world. In this view, humans are the final agents of their actions and can start new causal links. Libertarianism holds that moral responsibility and individual agency are based on the capacity to freely choose.
Philosophical libertarianism is informed by the example of Jean-Paul Sartre, who posited human beings are condemned to be free while suffering the burden of their actions. According to Sartre's existentialist theory, freedom is fundamental to the human situation and cannot be separated from responsibility. This viewpoint emphasizes the inherent worth of individual agency despite deterministic obstacles.
Key Debates and Philosophical Implications
Moral Responsibility
The issue of free will has serious consequences at the level of moral responsibility. Determinists claim that morality is undermined if actions appear to be determined causally by the environment. From this point of view, one stresses attuned reactions to victimization, and points to the wider context of anomalous factors, rather than to accusations of guilt against the guilty.
Human Nature and Autonomy
According to libertarianism, people are essentially independent and able to overcome deterministic limitations. This optimistic outlook recognizes the human mind's potential for moral self-determination, creativity, and development.
To summarize, the debate between libertarianism and determinism brings up important questions about responsibility, freedom, and the meaning of human existence. Determinism provides a construct that explains the interdependence of events, whereas libertarianism privileges the moral and free-willed importance of choice.
These ideas are not only influencing philosophical debates but are also affecting the world of law, ethics, and psychology. Determinism encourages a compassionate, systematic view of human behavior, while libertarianism focuses on the value of personal initiative and accountability. Compatibilism, on the other hand, unites people and provides a compromise that maintains the key concepts of both points of view.
Since the issue of free choice and determinism in the human experience is complex, the topic has ultimately not been settled. We gain a deeper understanding of the conflict between freedom and need as well as a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us by reflecting on these ideas.
References:
Fischer, J. M. (2012). Deep control: Essays on free will and value. OUP USA.
Kane, R. (2005). A contemporary introduction to free will. Oxford University
Press, USA.
Levin, N. (2021, March 10). 4: Free will, determinism, and responsibility. Humanities LibreTexts. https://human.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Philosophy/Introduction_to_Philosophy_Reader_(Levin_et_al.)/04%3A_Free_Will_Determinism_and_Responsibility
The philosophy of freedom: Free will vs. Determinism. (2024, October 18). Exploring your mind. https://exploringyourmind.com/philosophy-of-freedom-free-will-vs-determinism/
The problem of free will: Determinism vs. libertarianism. (n.d.). philosophybasics. https://insidepoliticalscience.com/libertarianism-vs-determinism/
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