Free Will

Question 1

When was Pelagius alive

Answer 1

5th century-contemporary of Augustine

Question 2

What is libertarianism(philosphically)

Answer 2

The idea that humans are free and have free will-no determinism

Question 3

What two things contradict in Christian teaching of determinism

Answer 3

Humans have free will as a gift from God
God knows everything thats going to happen-So are we “locked in” to our choices, and unable to choose any other option

Question 4

What is Pelagius’ resolution to Christian contradictory teachings on determinism

Answer 4

People who are saved are not chosen independently of their free will; god just knew what they were going to choose before they did so

Question 5

How does Pelagius’ understanding of sin differ from Augustine

Answer 5

Pelagius argues humans are born in a sinless state-not weighed down by original sin, and any sinful choices are theur own free will. Sin is optional, and living a good or sinless life is possible, if difficult, whereas augustine accepted sin as an inextricable part of human nature

Question 6

Why does Pelagius not believe in original sin

Answer 6

It was one example of Humans turning away from God’s teachings, but is not held over humanities collective heads;Sin is not a substance that influences us but ariess out of our own free choices
babies who die before baptism therefore go to heaven, as they have not chosen to sin, and to imply otherwise is to go against an all loving god

Question 7

What does Pelagius promote in order to live a sinless life

Answer 7

An ascetic lifestyle in order to avoid sinful behaviour-exercising control over human nature

Question 8

Does pelagius believe you require god’s grace to live a sinless life

Answer 8

No-it is all your own choice-God designed humanity perfectly free, and so it require him to do good would speak to a flaw in his work
-Augustine disagrees as he claims it removes the need for god in salvation

Question 9

What 3 ways does Pelagius understand Grace

Answer 9

Natural/original grace-Human consciousnness, responsibilty, free will etc
Grace of Revelation-Jesus’ life on earth as a template for a sinless life+commandments from the bible
Grace of Pardon-Via the death of Christ, people can be forgiven for sinful behaviour

Question 10

What did Arminius write

Answer 10

A declaration of Sentiments, though The Remonstrance is attributed to his teachings
5 articles of remonstrance were debated at the synod of dort in 1618-19

Question 11

What are the 5 articles of Remonstrance

Answer 11

Before the creation, God predetermined that, through christ, he would save believers and condemn non-believers

Jesus died for everyone, but only believers get the benefit

Humanity cannot save themselves-god is necessary

Without prevenient grace, humans cannot do good

Though the holy spirit, people can remain faithful through cooperation, but can resist gods grace-unclear if a believer can fall away from god

Question 12

What was the conclusion of the synod of dort 1618-19

Answer 12

Rejected Arminianism
Affirmed Calvinism

Question 13

Why does Arminius reject calvinism teachings on predestination

Answer 13

He thought it requires little effort from humanity; it is all up to whether they were elect or reprobate and there is little point in striving to do good.
He did not see the point of a god who creates creatures just to torture them forever

Question 14

How many rejections of calvinism does arminius give, and name some

Answer 14

Around 20-several focused on how scripture states a decision of faith is required, and reward/punishemnt is based on this
Sin requires conscious disobeying-if it is in someones nature, it is not really sin-is it sinful for the lion to kill the zebra
Calvin makes church, baptism, sermons and prayers worthless if the outcome was already decided

Question 15

What is divine concurrence and who supports it

Answer 15

The idea that god both permits human to sin, whilst dissaproving
Arminius

Question 16

According to arminius, was Adam destined to sin

Answer 16

No-he was made imago dei, so could have chosenn to follow gods commands-but sinned anyway-freely and uninfluenced

Question 17

Why does Arminuius say Sin increased after the fall

Answer 17

Humans are no longer able to do good on their own-gods grace is required-different to pelagius

Question 18

What two types of grace does Arminius posit

Answer 18

Prevenient Grace-given by God preceding choosing christ-offered to everyone
Subsequent grace-Given by God to help a sinner accept the gift of faith-cooperation of the holy sprit and free will
Arminius likens prevenient grace to Christ knocking on a door, and subsequent grace allowing the sinner to open the door

Question 19

Why does Arminius say grace does not remove free will

Answer 19

It merely corrects a persons tendency towards sin and gives the, the ability to understand good.

Question 20

What is the doctrine of middle knowledge and who posits it

Answer 20

God knows the full range of possible events and outcomes that could occur, but not for sure which will be chosen-ennsuring each person has enough faith/grace/free will to be able choose good in every situationn

Question 21

Why does Arminius say Calvinism is backwards in its salvation

Answer 21

Calvinism says God chooses who will be saved, then forces them to believe via irresistable grace
Arminius says that instead Humans freely choose good or evil ,which then resullts in them being saved or condemned

Question 22

What is conditional predestination

Answer 22

The election(salvation) opf those who have first chosenn faith in Christ

Question 23

What is The Liberty of Spontaneity

Answer 23

The ability to choose one action over another, unconstrained by external forces. It’s the freedom to make a choice, even if influenced by other internal factors.

Question 24

What do libertarians think about soft determinism

Answer 24

It is not enough to qualify for free will, as it allows actions caused by certain factors-Liberty of Indifference may be necessary

Question 25

What is the Liberty of Indifference

Answer 25

the capacity to choose or act in a way that is not determined or constrained by prior causes or circumstances.

Question 26

What is existentialism

Answer 26

A philosphical approach emphasising no higher power than man, who has no set purpose in an uncaring universe-huamns have absolute responsibilty for their actions

Question 27

What is Sartre's analogy of the paper knife

Answer 27

They were created and sold with a purpose in mind-to open letters and seperate book pages-Humans are not like this, as they were not designed for any purpose.

Question 28

What is an etre-en-soi

Answer 28

A being in itself-An object that exists and is subject to cause and effect

Question 29

What is an etre-pour-soi

Answer 29

A being for itself-Their identities are not bound by fixed labels or purposes, and has consciousness, subjective desires, and individuality

Question 30

What is Sartre's issue with determinism treating people as fixed beings

Answer 30

Treats people as objects and actions as being immuteable-this is not the case I make flashcards not because i am a student; I am a student because I make flashcards Actions are free, nott a result of a fixed identity/natures Descriptive not prescriptive

Question 31

What is the "bad faith" interpretation of etre en soi

Answer 31

Embracing Objectification Sartre gives the example of the waiter-He acts like a waiter, serving food etc but is lying to himself; he thinks he has no choice, but that is because he refuses to engage with reality, instead choosing to conform to his assigned social role, and dissown hhis own free will

Question 32

What play does Sartre write, depicting a life in bad faith

Answer 32

No Exit-set in hell, man labels himself courageous but ducks every opportunity to do so in his life, and is labeled a coward-not living authentically

Question 33

How does Sartre say we make ethical decisions

Answer 33

In Abandonment-no god to help us and on our own

Question 34

What does sartre say acknowledging free will is like

Answer 34

Balancing on a cliff precipice, knowing only your choices can save you, and terrified if a fall(living against your will) happens, as you only have yourself to blame

Question 35

How can determinism be disproven scientifically

Answer 35

Evidence against universal causation-the world is not one big line of cause and effect Quantum Mechanics disprove, to some degree, this, by allowing for true randomness and spontaneity in nature

Question 36

What did Benjamin Libet's experiments on free will in the 1980s discover

Answer 36

That unconcious brain activity was registered before the conscious decision was taken, perhaps implying that makinng a decision was only one chain of a series of events we have no control over

Question 37

What did Angela Sirigu discover in the 2000s

Answer 37

That different areas of the brain control different parts of movement and decisionmaking-brainwaves stimulated in these areas result in patients moving without deciding to, or deciding to move but not doing so Split whether this supports determinism or free will-Decisionn making partt of the brain identified-but showed it can be influenced by external stimulus

Question 38

What was Carl Rogers approach to free will

Answer 38

Rejects behaviourism-says a person in good mental health is responsible for their own choices. Rejects Skinnner idea of controlling "patients"-cites Brave New World Viewed individuals as unique and free-treated people by letting them treat themselves

Question 39

What was Rogers view of the actual and ideal self

Answer 39

Who they want to be vs who they see themselves as in the moment-Incogruence here leads to constraints and conflicts because of the houman need to "self-actualise"-impossible if incogruence is present

Question 40

What does Rogers say a therapist needs to do to help a client self actualise

Answer 40

be attentive with no emotional distance Communicate "unconditional positive regard" express genuine empathy This will basically unlock the clients free will and allow them freedom and flexibility in their own lives

Question 41

Why is Rogers accused of being a compatilibist, rather than a determinist

Answer 41

He does not deny determinism-accepts that people can be forced into certain courses of action However, he believes that everyone has the potential to make spontaneous or free choices, free from constraints

Question 42

Why might it be argued understandings of free wil leave room for moral responsibilty

Answer 42

Sartre-yes-humans are fully responsible for their own lives, een those lived in bad faith-they could stop at any point. Moral responnsibilty is with one person only Rogers-Although causation can occur, people can make free and independent actions, tthus taking on moral responsibilty

Question 43

Why might it be argued understandings of free will do not leave room for moral responsibilty

Answer 43

Ayer-No, as the action has little relation to the agent who performs it-So cannot be responsible, if it happens totally randomly Sirigu-Only identifies where decision making process might occur-not if it definitely happens and if humans have choices-no definite moral responsibilty

Question 44

How does Sartre respond to claims his ideology leads to an abandonment of moral values

Answer 44

He argues his system leads to reciprocal freedom, and people will, in the long run, choose whats in societys best interests, as it benefits them as well, rejecting behaviour that exploits or oppresses others.

Question 45

p324 left off-boring