DeterminiDeterminismsm

Different Types of Different Types of Determinism:Determinism:

Philosophical Determinism – cause/ effectPhilosophical Determinism – cause/ effect Scientific Determinism- gravityScientific Determinism- gravity Genetic Determinism – programmed in genes Genetic Determinism – programmed in genes Biological Determinism - brainsBiological Determinism - brains Psychological Determinism – background e.g. Psychological Determinism – background e.g.

Freud, Skinner (Behaviourism)Freud, Skinner (Behaviourism) Social Determinism – social norms determine Social Determinism – social norms determine

actionsactions Theological Determinism/ Pre Destination – Theological Determinism/ Pre Destination –

God predestines all actionsGod predestines all actions

Philosophical Philosophical DeterminismDeterminism

Theory of Universal Causation: Everything Theory of Universal Causation: Everything has a cause that precedes it.has a cause that precedes it.

Spinoza, “Men believe themselves to be free, Spinoza, “Men believe themselves to be free, simply because they are conscious of their simply because they are conscious of their actions and unconscious of the causes.”actions and unconscious of the causes.”

Aristotle believed that there are four causes: Aristotle believed that there are four causes: material, formal, efficient and final.material, formal, efficient and final.

Everything is in a chain of cause and effect Everything is in a chain of cause and effect determining that the ultimate Telos (final determining that the ultimate Telos (final purpose) is achieved. purpose) is achieved.

ScientificScientific Everything is made of matter and matter obeys physical Everything is made of matter and matter obeys physical

laws e.g. gravitylaws e.g. gravity Science relies on the predictability of the natural world –Science relies on the predictability of the natural world –

sun will rise and setsun will rise and set Stephen Hawkins “Quantum theories are deterministic.” Stephen Hawkins “Quantum theories are deterministic.” David Hume: An Enquiry Concerning Human David Hume: An Enquiry Concerning Human

Understanding “ We always transfer the known to the Understanding “ We always transfer the known to the unknown.”unknown.”

This means that there are no such things as accidents This means that there are no such things as accidents (event without an apparent cause). (event without an apparent cause).

Everything has a cause it is just a matter of science to Everything has a cause it is just a matter of science to find what that cause is. (e.g. science knew that seasons find what that cause is. (e.g. science knew that seasons changed and found the cause was the earth’s spinning changed and found the cause was the earth’s spinning axis)axis)

This means that everything is determined.This means that everything is determined.

Genetic DeterminismGenetic Determinism Determined by genes = parentsDetermined by genes = parents The Genome Project – map out all possible human The Genome Project – map out all possible human

genes – what each gene does.genes – what each gene does. Idea that all aspects of human health, personality, Idea that all aspects of human health, personality,

ability etc will be explained by our genes e.g. ability etc will be explained by our genes e.g. Artistic temperament, criminal tendencies Artistic temperament, criminal tendencies

Eugenics – an attempt to improve the genetic Eugenics – an attempt to improve the genetic makeup of the species (e.g. Nazis)makeup of the species (e.g. Nazis)

Positive eugenics – sperm donation for intellect Positive eugenics – sperm donation for intellect and moral fibreand moral fibre

How can Eugenics ever be positive?How can Eugenics ever be positive?

Proof: Schizophrenia Proof: Schizophrenia StudiesStudies

Twin Studies Twin Studies

Identical twins (monozygotic) 100% shared genesIdentical twins (monozygotic) 100% shared genes

vs. vs.

non identical twins (dizygotic) 50% shared genes (same as non identical twins (dizygotic) 50% shared genes (same as normal siblings)normal siblings)

Results of Gottesman (1991) and Kendler (1993)Results of Gottesman (1991) and Kendler (1993) Schizophrenia has concordance of 48% in Monozygotic Schizophrenia has concordance of 48% in Monozygotic

twins against only 17% on Dizygotic twins.twins against only 17% on Dizygotic twins.

This suggests genes play a role in this particular disorder – This suggests genes play a role in this particular disorder – however they cannot be completely responsible as the however they cannot be completely responsible as the concordance is not 100% in Monozygotic twins so other concordance is not 100% in Monozygotic twins so other factors must play a part as well.factors must play a part as well.

Biological DeterminismBiological Determinism Delgardo: stimulating various regions of the Delgardo: stimulating various regions of the

brain, he could cause all sorts of bodily motionsbrain, he could cause all sorts of bodily motions Tried first on animals then humansTried first on animals then humans However not only did they do the movements However not only did they do the movements

they produced reason for themthey produced reason for them Showing we can be determined but still think we Showing we can be determined but still think we

have free willhave free will

German scientist Kornhuber German scientist Kornhuber When you move your finger, the brain activity When you move your finger, the brain activity

begins 1 ½ seconds before the movementbegins 1 ½ seconds before the movement So they know you are going to move your finger So they know you are going to move your finger

before you actually dobefore you actually do

Biological DeterminismBiological Determinism If a small section of the If a small section of the

hypothalamus is removed then hypothalamus is removed then animals and human can turn savage/ animals and human can turn savage/ uncontrollable rageuncontrollable rage

Showing we are determined to act a Showing we are determined to act a certain way due to our brain waves.certain way due to our brain waves.

Freud – PsychoanalysisFreud – Psychoanalysis Childhood experiences lead to adult Childhood experiences lead to adult

personalitypersonality Psychosexual 5 stages ~ all children go Psychosexual 5 stages ~ all children go

through in same sequence and are pre-through in same sequence and are pre-programmed in the unconscious mindprogrammed in the unconscious mind

Parental behaviour determines passage Parental behaviour determines passage through stages = fixation (later adult through stages = fixation (later adult personality)personality)

Fixations are unconscious motives behind all Fixations are unconscious motives behind all action, which we have no control over.action, which we have no control over.

For Freud: Free Will is an Illusion.For Freud: Free Will is an Illusion.

Psychological Psychological DeterminismDeterminism

All behaviour is due to conditioning and All behaviour is due to conditioning and reinforcingreinforcing

All behaviour is learnt.All behaviour is learnt. Everything we do is a result of previous learningEverything we do is a result of previous learning

Reward and Punishment:Reward and Punishment: if your action leads to good results it is if your action leads to good results it is

positively reinforced and likely to be repeatedpositively reinforced and likely to be repeated But if your action leads to bad results and But if your action leads to bad results and

negatively or not reinforced then unlikely to be negatively or not reinforced then unlikely to be repeated.repeated.

Behaviourism - SkinnerBehaviourism - Skinner

Two boys - Jon Venables and Robert Thompson planned, Two boys - Jon Venables and Robert Thompson planned, kidnapped, tortured and killed two year old James Bulger. kidnapped, tortured and killed two year old James Bulger.

It is believed that the boy’s background (a world of social It is believed that the boy’s background (a world of social and economic deprivation, trashy television and cultural and economic deprivation, trashy television and cultural poverty) was the cause for the children's actions.poverty) was the cause for the children's actions.

The case looked at how these boys were not morally The case looked at how these boys were not morally responsible for their actions, blaming their parents and responsible for their actions, blaming their parents and environment. environment.

This means the boys were determined by their This means the boys were determined by their environment to act in such a way.environment to act in such a way.

However is it easier to believe these boys were However is it easier to believe these boys were determined = actions out of their control than the determined = actions out of their control than the alternative – that these boys used they freewill to choose alternative – that these boys used they freewill to choose to commit such a monstrous crime?to commit such a monstrous crime?

James Bulger CaseJames Bulger Case

Two wealthy, extremely intelligent Chicago Two wealthy, extremely intelligent Chicago students murdered 14-year-old Bobby Franks students murdered 14-year-old Bobby Franks in 1924, and were sentenced to life in 1924, and were sentenced to life imprisonment. imprisonment.

The duo were motivated to murder Franks by The duo were motivated to murder Franks by their desire to commit a perfect crime.their desire to commit a perfect crime.

Clarence Darrow, the boys lawyer, reduced Clarence Darrow, the boys lawyer, reduced their sentenced from death penalty to their sentenced from death penalty to

life imprisonment due to pledging that life imprisonment due to pledging that

the boys were determined due to their the boys were determined due to their

background and education.background and education.

Loeb and Leopold CaseLoeb and Leopold Case

Evaluate DeterminismEvaluate Determinism Supported by Supported by

science – proof- science – proof- predictionspredictions

cause / effect is cause / effect is testable, we can all testable, we can all experience the experience the effectseffects

Explanation for Explanation for why things happen why things happen as they do e.g. Godas they do e.g. God

x Takes away moral Takes away moral responsibilityresponsibility

x Society would be Society would be in chaos if no in chaos if no punishmentpunishment

x People do not like People do not like to think they are to think they are not in control of not in control of lifelife

Theological Theological DeterminisDeterminis

mmPredestinationPredestination

PredestinationPredestination God has already chosen (pre elected) who will be God has already chosen (pre elected) who will be

eternally saved.eternally saved. ““In love He predestined us...” Ephesians 1:5In love He predestined us...” Ephesians 1:5 Predestination = before creation God determined the Predestination = before creation God determined the

fate of the universe throughout all of time and space.fate of the universe throughout all of time and space.

John Calvin (1509-1564).John Calvin (1509-1564). Calvinism is the Protestant theological system Calvinism is the Protestant theological system ““For he does not create everyone in the same For he does not create everyone in the same

condition, but ordains eternal life for some and eternal condition, but ordains eternal life for some and eternal damnation for others.” Calvin.damnation for others.” Calvin.

Calvinist theology is translated into the following Calvinist theology is translated into the following basic doctrines, expressed by the word basic doctrines, expressed by the word TULIPTULIP: :

TT: : Total Depravity Total Depravity (Inability) human sin has (Inability) human sin has affected every aspect of the human character. affected every aspect of the human character.

UU: : Unconditional Election Unconditional Election God chooses some to be God chooses some to be saved and some to be damned. saved and some to be damned.

LL: : Limited Atonement Limited Atonement Christ died for the sins of Christ died for the sins of some (those predestined to heaven), but not for some (those predestined to heaven), but not for others (those predestined to hell). others (those predestined to hell).

II: : Irresistible Grace: Irresistible Grace: person is predestined for person is predestined for heaven. No matter what they do they are saved. heaven. No matter what they do they are saved.

PP: : Perseverance of the Saints Perseverance of the Saints (i.e., those whom (i.e., those whom God has saved) will always remain under God's God has saved) will always remain under God's protection until they are brought to heaven. protection until they are brought to heaven.

Strengths Strengths WeaknessesWeaknesses

Fits in Fits in with the with the idea that idea that God is God is omniscieomniscient (all nt (all knowingknowing))

x The Calvinist doctrine puts believers in a The Calvinist doctrine puts believers in a moral dilemma: should they even bother moral dilemma: should they even bother trying to be good?trying to be good?

x If God knows who will is rewarded and If God knows who will is rewarded and who is condemned in after life then we who is condemned in after life then we cannot be held morally responsible for cannot be held morally responsible for what we do. So there is no point in reward what we do. So there is no point in reward and punishment.and punishment.

x N. Geisler If our sins are predetermined, N. Geisler If our sins are predetermined, then we have no real control over them then we have no real control over them and our will is not free. In fact, it is God’s and our will is not free. In fact, it is God’s will working through us. “Moral will working through us. “Moral determinism makes God immoral and determinism makes God immoral and makes humans amoral.”makes humans amoral.”

Critic of CalvinismCritic of Calvinism

Arminianism

Jacob Arminius (1560—Jacob Arminius (1560—1609)1609)

Jacob Arminius, a Calvinist, argued that Jacob Arminius, a Calvinist, argued that sinful humans do indeed have an ability to sinful humans do indeed have an ability to choose between doing good and doing choose between doing good and doing evil, evil,

Human response determines salvation.Human response determines salvation. God has provided salvation for everyone, God has provided salvation for everyone,

but its only effective for those who, but its only effective for those who, through free will ‘choose’ to cooperate through free will ‘choose’ to cooperate and have faith.and have faith.

Each sinner (we are all sinners epistemic Each sinner (we are all sinners epistemic distance/fall) possess free will and his distance/fall) possess free will and his destiny depends on how he uses it.destiny depends on how he uses it.

FreewillFreewill

Free Will - Free Will - LibertarianismLibertarianism

Past events have no direct impact on Past events have no direct impact on current moral decision making. current moral decision making.

Moral choices are made in the light Moral choices are made in the light of personal characteristics and of personal characteristics and values. values.

““I am free in performing an action if I am free in performing an action if I could have done otherwise if I had I could have done otherwise if I had chosen to do so.” G. E. Moorechosen to do so.” G. E. Moore

Irenaeus and Irenaeus and AugustineAugustine

We have been put on We have been put on earth with freewill so we earth with freewill so we can become perfect, have can become perfect, have to earn perfection – make to earn perfection – make us all ready for heaven.us all ready for heaven.

Ultimate reason why Ultimate reason why there is evil and suffering there is evil and suffering is because humans are is because humans are autonomous (self autonomous (self governed) our actions are governed) our actions are freely chosen.freely chosen.

God is not God is not responsible for responsible for evil: we bring it evil: we bring it on ourselves on ourselves when we reject when we reject God using our God using our free will.free will.

Problem of evil is Problem of evil is due to our free due to our free will to turn will to turn towards or away towards or away from God.from God.

Jean Paul Sartre (1905-Jean Paul Sartre (1905-1980)1980)

We are 100% free to choose how we live our lives We are 100% free to choose how we live our lives “existence precedes essence.”“existence precedes essence.”

1946 book ‘Existentialism and Humanism.’1946 book ‘Existentialism and Humanism.’ He wrote ‘Being in Nothingness’: He wrote ‘Being in Nothingness’: 2 ways people can live lives2 ways people can live lives

a)a) AuthenticallyAuthentically

b)b) With bad faith/ self deception – belief in lack of With bad faith/ self deception – belief in lack of freedomfreedom

Sartre said there is no God and there is no human Sartre said there is no God and there is no human nature.nature.

Therefore humankind is completely free to choose Therefore humankind is completely free to choose own values and ways of livingown values and ways of living

Not believing this is living in ‘Mauvais foi’ bad faith.Not believing this is living in ‘Mauvais foi’ bad faith.

Further PhilosophersFurther Philosophers Kant: “ought implies can” if we feel Kant: “ought implies can” if we feel

a moral imperative (something that a moral imperative (something that should be done) we must be able to should be done) we must be able to do it. Freewill must exist in order to do it. Freewill must exist in order to choose to follow the imperative or choose to follow the imperative or ignore them.ignore them.

John Stuart Mill - Utilitarian: John Stuart Mill - Utilitarian: Freedom and happiness are linked. Freedom and happiness are linked. Need to be free to be happy.Need to be free to be happy.

Further PhilosophersFurther Philosophers Karl Marx: Believed Capitalism kept Karl Marx: Believed Capitalism kept

people’s lives determined because they people’s lives determined because they were ‘tied’ to a system which oppresses were ‘tied’ to a system which oppresses the masses. Communism offered political the masses. Communism offered political and economic freedom.and economic freedom.

Nietzsche: Society imposes rules/ morals/ Nietzsche: Society imposes rules/ morals/ values on us. These constrain us and values on us. These constrain us and prevent us from reaching our full prevent us from reaching our full potential. We will not be free to be potential. We will not be free to be individuals until we reject society’s individuals until we reject society’s norms.norms.

Further PhilosophersFurther Philosophers ““His chosen act is one of which he is the His chosen act is one of which he is the

sole cause or author.” C. A. Campbellsole cause or author.” C. A. Campbell “ “ If we choose to remain at rest, we may, If we choose to remain at rest, we may,

if we choose to move, we also may.” if we choose to move, we also may.” David HumeDavid Hume

““Everything can be taken from a man bit Everything can be taken from a man bit one thing: the last of the human one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude.” freedoms – to choose one’s attitude.” Victor Frankl Holocaust SurvivorVictor Frankl Holocaust Survivor

StrengthsStrengths Empowering idea?Empowering idea? Nice idea that we have choices and Nice idea that we have choices and

control over our livescontrol over our lives Total moral responsibility – Total moral responsibility –

deserving are punisheddeserving are punished Adds meaning to ethics: can apply Adds meaning to ethics: can apply

praise and blame accordinglypraise and blame accordingly

WeaknessesWeaknessesx If everyone had free will = dangerous.If everyone had free will = dangerous.x Assumes everyone is morally goodAssumes everyone is morally goodx If I have free will I may interfere with other free If I have free will I may interfere with other free

will e.g. noisy neighbourswill e.g. noisy neighboursx Would not be acceptable to religious believersWould not be acceptable to religious believersx Are we not partly determined by emotionsAre we not partly determined by emotionsx Total moral responsibility can be a huge burdenTotal moral responsibility can be a huge burdenx Could lead to dangerous and destructive Could lead to dangerous and destructive

behaviour if everyone exercised total free will.behaviour if everyone exercised total free will.

Weaknesses John LockeWeaknesses John Lockex Free will is like a sleeping man who is moved Free will is like a sleeping man who is moved

into a room and locked in. into a room and locked in.

He wakes and chooses not to try and leave the He wakes and chooses not to try and leave the room. He believes he could leave the room if room. He believes he could leave the room if he so chose but in actual fact he cannot.he so chose but in actual fact he cannot.

Likewise we think we can choose from a Likewise we think we can choose from a number of different options, but in fact, our number of different options, but in fact, our moral choices are determined by other moral choices are determined by other factors.factors.

Thomas AquinasThomas Aquinas Believed that God knows Believed that God knows

everything knowable – everything knowable – omniscience. But what about omniscience. But what about free will?free will?

Metaphor ala Aquinas: God Metaphor ala Aquinas: God stands on top of a hill and sees stands on top of a hill and sees simultaneously all the travellers simultaneously all the travellers on the path around the hillside.on the path around the hillside.

This means that God can see This means that God can see the path you have taken, the the path you have taken, the path you are on now and where path you are on now and where this path will lead but that does this path will lead but that does not mean you are not free.not mean you are not free.

Incompatibilism/ Incompatibilism/ CompatibilismCompatibilism

Does what it says on the tin..... Does what it says on the tin..... Incompatibilism believes that free Incompatibilism believes that free

will and determinism are not will and determinism are not compatible and need to remain compatible and need to remain completely separate.completely separate.

Compatibilism, on the other hand, Compatibilism, on the other hand, believes that a bridge can be made believes that a bridge can be made between free will and determinism – between free will and determinism – a mid way point can be net.a mid way point can be net.

Ted HonderichTed Honderich

Debate between the Compatabilists and Debate between the Compatabilists and IncompatabilistsIncompatabilists

Based on a false definition of the word Based on a false definition of the word ‘freedom’‘freedom’

Determinism and freedom are not mutually Determinism and freedom are not mutually exclusiveexclusive

Determinism restricts the scope of freedom Determinism restricts the scope of freedom Reconcile two theories together = soft Reconcile two theories together = soft

determinism/ Compatabilismdeterminism/ Compatabilism Determined by cause and effect but triggered Determined by cause and effect but triggered

by FREE moral choices.by FREE moral choices.

Evaluate CompatibilismEvaluate Compatibilism Thomas Hobbes Thomas Hobbes

believes we have free believes we have free will unless something will unless something physically restrains physically restrains us.us.

x Where does determinism Where does determinism end and the moment of end and the moment of free will begin?free will begin?

x Many believe that free Many believe that free will and determinism will and determinism cannot be linked cannot be linked togethertogether

x Kant called it “a Kant called it “a miserable subterfuge.” miserable subterfuge.” (evasion)(evasion)

x William James “a William James “a quagmire of evasion.” quagmire of evasion.” (swamp)(swamp)

““I believe I have freewill; I believe I have freewill; I have no choice.” I have no choice.”

Isaac SingerIsaac Singer