libertarianism

• libertarianism = we are free
• libertarianism rejects universal causation + claims we have causally undetermined choices
• they accept that:

  • our bodies are subject to casual laws
  • nature + nurture may exert strong influence on our moral decisions, but these are not necessarily determinant
• human beings do have moral responsibility because they have some degree of free will
• evaluating libertarianism:

  • assumptions of this theory are no more provable than hard determinism
  • argument against Skinner: those who insist we are determined are merely making a determined statement, so why should we listen?
  • positive approach to moral decision making: libertarians believe they are deliberately + rationally achieving moral goals, as opposed to following a predetermined path
• libertarians often distinguish between someone's formed character/personality and their moral self

  • personality is governed by causal laws, which are capable of scientific explanation + prediction
  • personality is formed by hereditary + environment, limiting the choices one has
• argument of experience:

  • we have direct + certain experience of being self-determining e.g. choosing to drink tea or coffee
  • this is a common experience to everyone
  • we have the immediate experience of making choice
• argument from the act of decision making:

  • we all do this, demonstrating we possess free will
  • we can only make decisions about what to do if we do not already know what we are going to do
  • since we all make decisions we must believe that we can make choices + that we are free
• free will cannot be proven, but it is accepted as a contingent truth

  • but it is difficult to know exactly how the brain is able to act freely + what part of it is involved
• the key thinker for libertarianism is Kant