Week 3 - classical free will Flashcards
(30 cards)
What is Classical Free Will Theory (CFWT)?
The view that humans have free will and that their actions are not determined by prior causes.
What is another name for Classical Free Will Theory?
Libertarianism (not to be confused with the political view).
Do classical free will theorists accept compatibilism?
No. They believe free will and determinism are incompatible.
What is William James’ view on compatibilism?
He rejected it as a “quagmire of evasion” that renders free will meaningless.
What are the three main requirements for free will in CFWT?
(1) Not determined, (2) Not random, (3) Caused by the agent.
What is meant by “not determined”?
That before the choice is made, there are real alternative possibilities.
What is the problem with randomness in CFWT?
If an action is random, it doesn’t seem to be under the agent’s control — which undermines responsibility.
What does “agent causation” mean in CFWT?
That the agent themselves — not another event — causes their action.
Who is the main defender of agent causation?
Roderick Chisholm.
What famous phrase did Chisholm use to describe free action?
“Each of us is a prime mover unmoved.”
What does Robert Kane mean by “randomness plus reasons”?
Some decisions are undetermined but still based on your reasons — when you’re torn between choices, a random neural event may tip the scale, but you still act for reasons you endorse.
What does Kane say about “torn decisions”?
In cases of balanced reasons, a random choice still reflects the agent’s character.
What ancient thought experiment supports Kane’s view?
Buridan’s donkey — equally drawn to two choices, yet still acts.
What is David Hodgson’s view on free will?
He argues that conscious experience causes our actions in a way that is neither determined nor random — our whole perception of a situation (a “gestalt”) leads us to act freely and meaningfully.
Why does Hodgson reject algorithms in explaining decision-making?
Because reasons are often incommensurable — not measurable on the same scale.
What does Kant say is necessary for freedom?
Spontaneity — actions not being determined by causes.
What role does consciousness play in CFWT arguments?
It’s used to argue that the mind may operate outside deterministic laws.
What is Chisholm’s view on the source of our idea of causation?
We get it from our own experience of making things happen.
What is the “moral luck” problem for determinism?
If actions are determined, then they’re due to factors beyond our control — so moral responsibility becomes unjustified.
Why is CFWT considered demanding or controversial?
It requires rejecting determinism, explaining how actions aren’t random, and defending mysterious-seeming agent causation.
What is the main criticism of agent causation?
It seems mysterious or unscientific — how can a person cause something without any prior cause?
How does Thomas Nagel’s “What is it like to be a bat?” relate to free will?
It suggests consciousness has subjective elements science can’t fully explain, supporting the idea that free will might be non-physical.
How does Classical Free Will Theory relate to moral responsibility?
It claims responsibility is only possible if actions are not determined by external causes.
What role does direct experience play in CFWT?
We feel directly aware that we’re causing our actions — not being caused to act — which supports the idea of free agency.
