Discussing the Claim that Freewill and Determinism are Incompatible
A person’s “will” is their ability to decide and choose among
different options. The term “freewill” suggests that the choice this
person has made, although it may have been influenced by outside
circumstances or people, was ultimately his or her own choice. There
is a related principle. It generally states that “ought” implies
“can”. If someone ought to do something that implies that they can do
it. After all, if they cannot do something then surely they are not
obliged to do it. For example: If I see a drowning child in a rushing
river and I cannot swim, then I cannot be blamed if I do not jump in
and try and save the child? I can’t do it, so surely it’s not the case
that I should do it regardless. A moral obligation requires an ability
to do the thing you’re obligated to do; and an ability to do the thing
that you are obligated to do requires that you are free to do it. If
you are not free to do otherwise, then you lack the ability to choose
to fulfil your obligation, which means you are not obliged to do it.
Determinism is the view that that every event has a set of causes,
sufficient enough to explain why it, and not some other event,
occurred. Is it often thought that if determinism of this sort is
believed, then it implies that freewill does not exist. The argument
is as follows: If every event is determined, including every act of
choosing, then the choice made has already been determined so
therefore cannot be free. Thus, freewill does not exist. If you agree
with this argument then you are taking the position of
incompatibilism. Incompatibilism is the p...
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...rminism if the easy option,
the “soft” option.
I believe that no matter which way you look at it if the universe
follows the laws of determinism, it may well be determined that I
believe the universe follows the laws of free will. However if the
universe follows the laws of free will, it is allowed for me to
believe the universe follows the laws of determinism. Regardless of
whether free-will or determinism is the way the universe works, it is
clear that society does hold me accountable for my actions; does dish
out praise and blame; does decide whether I am sufficiently sane to be
held accountable. Even self-proclaimed determinists will hold me
accountable for my decisions and my actions. It therefore compells us
to behave as if we have free-will, and expect to be held accountable
for our decisions and actions.