Free Will & Determinism Debate
- Created by: 0045253
- Created on: 12-06-22 12:08
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- Free Will and Determinism
- the extent to which we are
self-determining and free to choose our thoughts and actions
- Determinism suggests external or internal forces drive an individual’s behaviour. This would imply that we could predict behaviour.
- the extent to which our behaviour is controlled by internal and external forces
- free will suggests that a person is capable of self-determinism. In other words, individuals are free to choose and are not directed by internal or external pressures.
- Hard Determinism
- says that all human behaviour has a cause so it should be possible to identify and describe these causes.
- The assumption is that internal and external forces control everything we think and do and we therefore have very little room to make our own choices
- Soft Determinism
- Science has its part to play however soft determinism would say that we still have some freedom in everyday life to make choices
- William James (philosopher) proposed the idea of soft determinism.
- Biological Determinism
- This goes deeper than just the influence of genes on our physical characteristics but also suggests that our behaviours are genetically determined
- Evidence comes from Hill et al (1999) who found that particular genes (IGF2R) are found in highly intelligent people.
- Environmental Determinism
- that all behaviour is caused by previous experience through classical and operant conditioning
- Psychic Determinism
- Freud suggested that human personality was formed from our innate drives and also our early experience. These are therefore internal and external forces
- Scientific Emphasis on Casual Explanations
- A
fundamental principle of science is that every event in the universe has a cause
- these causes can be explained by universal laws
- By understanding cause and formulating laws, scientists can make predictions and potentially control events in the future
- A
fundamental principle of science is that every event in the universe has a cause
- Free Will
- P - Adopting a free will approach suggests that
people have conscious control over how they think/feel/behave.
- E - This is especially important for treatment of
mental health as it gives individuals control and responsibility for their
recovery.
- E - In addition people who have an internal locus of
control, believing they have a high degree of influence over events and their
own behaviour tend to be more mentally healthy.
- L - This means that taking a free will approach may have a positive impact on mind and behaviour.
- E - In addition people who have an internal locus of
control, believing they have a high degree of influence over events and their
own behaviour tend to be more mentally healthy.
- E - This is especially important for treatment of
mental health as it gives individuals control and responsibility for their
recovery.
- P - Neurological studies of decision making have
revealed evidence against free will.
- E - Studies by Libet demonstrated that the brain
activity that determines the outcome of simple choices may predate our
knowledge of having made such a choice.
- E - Research found that activity in the brain
occurred up to 10 seconds before participants report being consciously aware of
making such a decision.
- L - This shows that even our most basic experiences of free are decided and determined by our brain before we become aware of them.
- E - Research found that activity in the brain
occurred up to 10 seconds before participants report being consciously aware of
making such a decision.
- E - Studies by Libet demonstrated that the brain
activity that determines the outcome of simple choices may predate our
knowledge of having made such a choice.
- P - Adopting a free will approach suggests that
people have conscious control over how they think/feel/behave.
- Determinism
- P - Determinism is consistent with the aims of
science, this has implications for research and treatments.
- E - Science focusses on investigating causes and
making predictions, a deterministic view allows the causes of human behaviour
to be identified.
- E - This means therapies and treatments can be
developed if behaviour can be predicted and controlled.
- L - This means taking a deterministic view can lead to improvements in patients’ lives and has practical applications.
- E - This means therapies and treatments can be
developed if behaviour can be predicted and controlled.
- E - Science focusses on investigating causes and
making predictions, a deterministic view allows the causes of human behaviour
to be identified.
- P - A deterministic stance is not consistent with
the way in which our legal system operates and has implications for society.
- E - In addition taking a deterministic view can be
socially sensitive
- E - If a certain genetic makeup predisposes people
to violent criminal behaviour it is not clear whether they can be held
responsible for their actions.
- L - A deterministic view therefore poses issues for the justice system as rehabilitation may seem impossible
- E - If a certain genetic makeup predisposes people
to violent criminal behaviour it is not clear whether they can be held
responsible for their actions.
- E - In addition taking a deterministic view can be
socially sensitive
- P - Determinism is consistent with the aims of
science, this has implications for research and treatments.
- OTHER
- P- A soft-deterministic position may provide a
compromise
- E -
For example approaches which have a cognitive element
such as Social Learning Theory recognise the influence of both free will and
determinism.
- E - For instance, Bandura argued that although
environmental factors in learning are key, we are free to choose what when to perform certain behaviour
- L - This means that a soft-deterministic position is a more balanced approach
- E - For instance, Bandura argued that although
environmental factors in learning are key, we are free to choose what when to perform certain behaviour
- E -
For example approaches which have a cognitive element
such as Social Learning Theory recognise the influence of both free will and
determinism.
- P- A soft-deterministic position may provide a
compromise
- the extent to which we are
self-determining and free to choose our thoughts and actions
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