Issues and Debates - Free Will vs Determinism Flashcards
Determinism
We are controlled by internal/external factors. We have no choice over our behaviour
Free will
We are able to choose/make conscious decisions about our behaviour
4 types of determinism
Hard determinism
Soft determinism
Environmental determinism
Psychic determinism
Hard determinism
Our lives (thoughts, behaviours, choices etc) are governed by forces that are out of our control
What does hard determinism assume?
it assumes that internal/external forces determine our behaviour
Two types of hard determinism
Biological
Environmental
How is biological determinism a form of hard determinism?
Because it states that our lives are exclusively controlled by internal forces
How is environmental determinism a form of hard determinism?
Because it states that our lives are exclusively controlled by external forces
Soft determinism
Our lives are to an extent governed by internal/external forces but we still have some element of control/free will over our lives
What does soft determinism suggest?
Suggests that there are things that influence our behaviour, but we can still make conscious decisions about our lives
What is a type of soft determinism?
Psychic determinism
How is psychic determinism a form of soft determinism?
Because it believes that the mind determines behaviour but is also influenced by experiences
What does psychic determinism suggest?
Suggests that experiences that occurred during the stages of psychosexual development unconsciously influence adult behaviour
Does free will reject the fact that we are influenced by biology, culture or the environment?
No, it doesn’t reject this, but it states that we can reject these influences and choose alternatives if we so wish
What approach is an example of free will?
The humanistic approach
