compatibilism

• what is compatibilism?

  the view that human freedom and moral responsibility are compatible with determinism
• we can be shaped by physical and other laws and yet...?

  at the same time be sufficiently free to make moral decisions
• the "classic" account of the compatibilst position is given by who?

  Hume
• what does Hume think that we have?

  a "liberty of spontaneity"
• he thinks that we have a "liberty of spontaneity" rather than what?

  "liberty of indifference" (being free of causal necessity), as Hume saw this as a delusion
• what is the liberty of spontaneity?

  the kind of liberty which is consistent with necessity (the ability to do what you desire)
• what does Hume begin by doing?

  giving his own definition of necessity
• the kind of necessity required by causal determinism isnt ... what?

  a logical necessity
• what do the laws of nature not have?

  logical necessity (2 + 2 = 4)
• all we really see in nature is...?

  "constant conjunction"
• whenever we look in nature, what do we see?

  that A is constantly accompanied by B
• for example...?

  whenever (A) we throw a brick at glass, we constantly find (B) that the glass will shatter
• since they always happen together, what does the mind do?

  makes a connection - through habit, we assume that A will always accompany B
• however, this conjunction isnt logically necessary, why?

  because it is always possible that the glass won't shatter
• we cannot therefore talk about necessary laws of cause and effect, why?

  that understanding of necessity is too strong, all we really find in nature is constant conjunction
• where is constant conjunction also found?

  in human nature
• how is constant conjunction also found in human nature?

  we assume that people will act predictably based on past experiences
• what does Hume conclude?

  that human actions and natural events operate as a "linked chain" - one depends on the other
• according to Hume, what does this kind of regularity show?

  that liberty and necessity are compatible and that liberty requires necessity
• Hume suggests that liberty (freedom) and necessity (determinism) aren't contradictory, why?

  because freedom requires some level of determinism
• human actions stem from human choices, and that is...?

  all that's required for free will
• in Hume's sense, freedom requires determinism, why?

  because if our wishes and desires were simply random, the order of human life, by which we make sense of the world and ourselves, would be lost
• who clarifies Hume's point?

  Oliver Mcadoo
• "Hume claims that our freedom lies in being able to...?

  carry out our desires, without interference and restraint from external factors"
• on this basis...?

  freedom isnt only compatible with determinism, it requires it
• what is essential?

  that our desires aren't random, they flow from our personality that is genuinely our own
• what is our personality/ character?

  the sum total of the causal conditions that have created us
• what is freedom?

  the expression of this character, to act according to one's desires
• so what do we have the ability to do?

  what we desire
• Hume believes that once we accept his definitions...?

  everything becomes clear
• how can Hume's compatibilism seem to be right?

  if necessity boils down to constant conjunction in nature and in human nature
• liberty is consistent with necessity and...?


  we have the freedom to do what we desire
• however, for hard determinists, Hume's idea of necessity and causation as constant conjunction is too...?

  watered down
• why is Hume's idea of necessity and causation and constant conjunction too watered down?

  because wishes and desires are as determined as everything else
• if determinism is true, why must Hume's compatibilism be false?

  because ALL actions are caused
• for libertarians, what does Hume's compatibilism ignore?

  the power of reason by which Hume arrives at compatabilism
• on Hume's account, despite having led him to compatibilism...?

  human reason becomes virtually redundant
• for Hume...?

  reason seems to be indistinguishable from the forces of nature, everything is watered down to "constant conjunction"