Libertarian free will

Definition

Libertarian free will is the philosophical concept that emphasizes the ability of individuals to make choices that are not determined by external circumstances or prior states of affairs. This view posits that humans have genuine control over their actions, allowing them to choose differently in identical situations. It stands in contrast to determinism, suggesting that moral responsibility hinges on the capacity for such free choices.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Libertarian free will asserts that individuals can take control of their decisions and actions, making them morally responsible for those choices.
2. The concept often relies on the idea that if determinism were true, individuals would lack the ability to act otherwise in any given situation.
3. Proponents argue that the experience of choice and agency in decision-making supports the notion of libertarian free will.
4. Critics contend that libertarian free will is inconsistent with scientific understandings of causation and psychology, raising questions about how free will could exist in a causally determined world.
5. Philosophers like Robert Kane advocate for libertarian free will by discussing 'self-forming actions'—decisions made under significant pressure that shape a person's character and future choices.

Review Questions

• How does libertarian free will challenge the principles of determinism?
  • Libertarian free will challenges determinism by asserting that individuals possess the ability to make choices independent of preceding causes or external influences. This means that even if past events and circumstances affect a person's decision-making process, they still have the capacity to choose differently. By positing this freedom of choice, libertarians argue that moral responsibility exists only when individuals have genuine control over their actions, which would be negated under a strictly deterministic framework.
• Evaluate the implications of libertarian free will on moral responsibility in ethical theories.
  • The implications of libertarian free will on moral responsibility are significant for ethical theories. If individuals have genuine freedom to choose their actions, they can be held accountable for their choices, which forms the foundation for many moral systems. Conversely, if one accepts determinism, it raises challenging questions about punishment and reward—if actions are pre-determined, can one truly be praised or blamed? This evaluation is critical for understanding how ethical theories justify accountability and justice in society.
• Synthesize arguments from both sides regarding the existence of libertarian free will and its relevance to contemporary philosophical discussions.
  • Arguments for libertarian free will emphasize personal agency and moral accountability, asserting that individuals can transcend deterministic influences through conscious choice. In contrast, skeptics point to scientific findings in psychology and neuroscience that suggest our decisions may be heavily influenced by unconscious factors and environmental stimuli. Synthesizing these viewpoints reveals an ongoing debate in contemporary philosophy about whether free will exists as traditionally understood or if it should be redefined within a compatibilist framework where choice operates within constraints imposed by prior states while still retaining an element of freedom.

Related terms

Determinism: The philosophical idea that every event or state of affairs, including human actions, is determined by preceding events in accordance with the laws of nature.

Compatibilism: The view that free will and determinism are compatible, suggesting that people can be considered free even if their actions are influenced by prior causes.

Moral Responsibility: The status of being accountable for one's actions, which libertarian free will argues is contingent upon having genuine choices.