Free will versus determinism: Difference between revisions

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(Created page with "== Free will == === necessity and constraint === * can only be exercised given ** absence of necessity *** necessity = a requirement for something to happen ** absence of constraint ** ex. For me to be a bachelor, *** I cannot also be married < absence of necessity *** I cannot be forced to be unmarried < absence of constraint * == Determinism == * = absence of free will * = absence of choice and thus responsibility for one's actions * under determinism, we cannot...")
 
 
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== Free will ==
== Reason versus will ==
 
* reason = rational thought
** we can reason from a given set of information
* will = choice
** we choose based upon our reason
** but also upon our desires


=== necessity and constraint ===
=== necessity and constraint ===


* can only be exercised given
* free will can only be exercised given
** absence of necessity
** absence of necessity
*** necessity = a requirement for something to happen
*** necessity = a requirement for something to happen
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*** I cannot also be married < absence of necessity
*** I cannot also be married < absence of necessity
*** I cannot be forced to be unmarried < absence of constraint
*** I cannot be forced to be unmarried < absence of constraint
*


== Determinism ==
== Determinism ==
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* = absence of choice and thus responsibility for one's actions
* = absence of choice and thus responsibility for one's actions
* under determinism, we cannot be held responsible for our actions (no moral choice)
* under determinism, we cannot be held responsible for our actions (no moral choice)
=== deterministic elements ===
* laws of nature
* biology
* external situations or causes


=== moral responsibility ===
=== moral responsibility ===
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* the idea that events and choices are not determined by outside forces
* the idea that events and choices are not determined by outside forces


=== necessary but no sufficient causality ===
=== necessary but insufficiency ===
 
* '''necessary cause''' = a condition that is "necessary" or required to exist for an outcome to ocurr
** but, that cause does not unto itself yield the outcome
* '''sufficient cause''' = a condition without with the outcome would not have happened
** see: Social Studies skills entry for "[[Social Studies skills#Necessary v. sufficient causes|necessary v sufficient causes]]"


== Reconciling free will with determinism ==
== Reconciling free will with determinism ==