Libertarianism

• J.S Mill


  The view that, despite restraints from genetics and environment, humans are free moral agents
• We are free to act so therefore have moral responsibility
• All forms of determinism are false
• Most are mind-body dualists (follows Descartes)
• Nature of mind is different from nature of body (possible for one to exist without the other) so our minds can be free even if our body is not
• Kleptomaniac example

  • physiological, psychological and genetic disposition may dispose him to steal
  • nevertheless this is not a forgone conclusion, so when left unobserved in a shop, he might or might not steal.
  • All our experience of decision-making and following moral principles, and even our sense of guilt when something goes wrong, suggests that we are actually free, we must therefore take responsibility for our actions
• Folk Psychology 


  • We experience ourselves as free, and also we have a sense of moral responsibility (including guilt if we get things wrong).
  • This is the ‘common sense’ argument from what is sometimes called ‘folk psychology’ – in other words the opinion of ordinary people who make day-to-day decisions without doubting that they are freely made.
• Limitations (3)

  • Physical: e/g cannot run a mile in 2 minutes
  • Psychological: degree of motivation influences our decisions
  • Social: financial, political situations
• Strengths...

  • we constantly experience ourselves as being free
  • Feelings of guilt show ownership of our decisions
  • positive approach
  • Determinists are making a determined statement so why should we pay attention to it?