Free Will

• What are the four key concepts to know about in the topic of Free Will and moral responsibility?

  Libertarianism, determinism, compatibilism, and their application to crime, reward, and punishment
• What does John Paul Sartre mean by saying "man is condemned to be free"?

  It suggests that freedom comes with the burden of responsibility for one's actions
• How does Sartre's view of free will differ from the idea of free will as a gift from God?

  Sartre views free will as a burden, while the religious perspective often sees it as a divine gift
• What is the implication of free will for the criminal justice system according to libertarianism?

  It implies that individuals must take full moral responsibility for their actions
• How does the concept of moral responsibility relate to free will?

  Moral responsibility arises from the ability to make free choices
• What is Spinoza's position on free will?

  He is a determinist who believes we do not have free will
• How does Kant's view on free will relate to his ethical framework?

  Kant believes we can only reward individuals for doing their duty if they have free will
• What is Descartes' belief regarding free will?

  He believes in libertarianism and that we have free will due to mind-body dualism
• What is Hume's concept of compatibilism?

  Compatibilism suggests that free will is the freedom to express one's determined personality
• How does Aristotle's view on virtue relate to free will?

  Aristotle argues that only voluntary actions can be praised or blamed, linking virtue to free will
• What are the three levels of legal responsibility in the UK?

  No responsibility, diminished responsibility, and full responsibility
• In the case study of a driver who has a stroke and kills two children, what is the key question regarding moral responsibility?

  Whether the driver can be held fully responsible given the sudden medical emergency
• In the case of self-defense, what must be considered regarding moral responsibility?

  Whether the individual acted under threat and if their actions were justified
• In the case of a woman who kills her abusive partner, what is the moral responsibility question?

  Whether her history of abuse influences her moral responsibility for the act
• What are the exemptions under UK law for those not fully responsible for their actions?

  Not yet learned it, cannot understand it, permanently forgotten it, temporarily forgotten it
• What is the significance of free will in the context of moral responsibility?

  Free will is essential for holding individuals accountable for their actions
• What are the key concepts of libertarianism, determinism, and compatibilism?

  • Libertarianism: Humans are free moral agents with free will.
  • Determinism: All actions are determined by prior causes; free will is an illusion.
  • Compatibilism: Free will exists within the framework of determinism; individuals can express their determined personality.
• How do upbringing and societal context influence perceptions of freedom?

  • Upbringing shapes individual choices and moral development.
  • Societal context varies the level of perceived individual freedom across different countries.
• How do moral agents need to act to be held morally responsible?

  • They must act freely without coercion.
  • Their actions must be the result of conscious decisions.
  • They should be capable of making those decisions.
• What is the Libertarian view on free will?

  Libertarians believe that free will is a contingent truth based on our experience.
• How do Libertarians justify their belief in free will?

  They justify it by stating that we feel we can make moral decisions for ourselves.
• What is the main argument of determinists like Spinoza regarding free will?

  Determinists argue that the sense of free will is an illusion.
• What do many Libertarians believe about the mind and body?

  Many Libertarians are mind-body dualists, believing in a distinct mind substance separate from the physical body.
• What do Libertarians acknowledge about influences on free will?

  They acknowledge that influences exist but are not necessarily determinants of choice.
• What is compatibilism, and who is a key thinker associated with it?

  Compatibilism is the belief that human freedom is compatible with determinism, with David Hume as a key thinker.
• How does Hume redefine freedom?

  Hume redefines freedom as the ability to act upon and express our personality without external restrictions.
• What does hard determinism claim about free will?

  Hard determinism claims that free will is an illusion and that all actions are determined by prior events.
• What is Spinoza's view on moral responsibility?

  Spinoza argues that if free will is an illusion, we cannot claim moral responsibility for our actions.
• How does Spinoza illustrate his argument against free will?

  Spinoza uses the analogy of a stone rolling down a hill to illustrate that humans have no more freedom than a stone.
• What does Spinoza mean by saying that free will is an illusion generated by ignorance?

  He means that people believe they have free will because they are unaware of the causes influencing their desires.
• How does the concept of free will relate to the justice system according to Libertarians?

  Libertarians argue that individuals should be held morally responsible for their actions as they have the capacity to choose.
• What is the significance of Kant's postulate regarding free will?

  Kant's postulate states that for moral responsibility to exist, we must assume we possess free will.
• How do Libertarians view the relationship between free will and causal laws?

  Libertarians reject universal causation and claim that there are causally undetermined choices.
• What limitations do Libertarians acknowledge regarding free will?

  Libertarians acknowledge that while we have free will, we are still limited by our biology and physical world.
• What is the relationship between mind-body dualism and Libertarianism?

  Many Libertarians are mind-body dualists, believing that a separate mind substance allows for free will.
• How does the UK legal system reflect Libertarian beliefs about free will?

  The UK legal system operates on the assumption that individuals could have chosen otherwise, thus holding them morally responsible.
• How does the concept of radical freedom relate to existentialism?

  Existentialists believe in radical freedom, asserting that individuals must create their own purpose and existence.
• What does Sartre mean by saying "man is condemned to be free"?

  Sartre means that humans are thrust into freedom and must take responsibility for their choices without any external justification.
• What is the existentialist view on the purpose of life?

  Existentialists believe that life has no inherent purpose, and individuals must create or discover their own purpose.
• How do existentialists view moral choices?

  Existentialists view moral choices as acts of will that define an individual's existence and purpose.