1.1.4: Free Will, Determinism and Predestination

Question 1

What is free will?

Answer 1

Free will is the doctrine that human beings are able to make choices about how we behave and think, and that we are morally responsible for the consequences.

Question 2

Outline two differences between free will and determinism.

Answer 2

Free will argues that human will is free to choose how to behave, whereas determinism says actions, including human behavior, are outcomes of causes, and so human will is not necessarily free. Free will states that humans are morally responsible for the choices they make, but determinism says humans are not responsible: their choices are fixed.

Question 3

Identify three verses in the Bible that support free will.

Question 4

Explain different non-religious attitudes to free will.

Question 5

Outline two differences between genetic determinism and psychological determinism.

Question 6

Describe Benjamin Libet’s experiment

Answer 6

Benjamin Libet held an experiment in the 1980s where an EEG was placed on a person’s brain and the participant was then asked to press a button. It was found using an oscilloscope that brain activity for pressing the button was present before a participant was aware of his decision.

Question 7

Identify 3 implications of determinism.

Question 8

Explain the doctrine of predestination.

Question 9

Explain why some people disagree with predestination.

Question 10

Evaluate the statement: “If everything is predestined there is no need to live a good life.”

Question 11

Explain possible solutions to the issue of God’s omnipotence.

Question 12

Evaluate the statement: “If God is omniscient human lives are controlled.”