Difference of Free Will and Determinism - Essay Example

Free Will vs. Determinism Determinism s that humans have no free will to choose what they wish. That seems real extreme and harsh. Even though this is what determinism is, doesnt mean that the determinists are trying to steal your freedom. Its only what they believe because οf religion and cause and effect. In religion, many people believe in the existence οf a god supports determinism. The basis οf god is that he is all-knowing and all-powerful. If free will is allowed, there would be decisions and actions in which God could not know due to the persons choice. This would limit Gods omnipotence, which is unacceptable to some. The other argument for determinism is causation, or causes and effects. This argument depends on relationships that should happen with the same results every time, such as a baseball breaking a window, breaking the window. Basing on this, everything in the universe has a cause. And if all the causes and the events were known, then it would be possible to easily predict the future. If everything can be foreseen, then this proves that nothing that anyone does can change the courses οf the future. This, οf course, is not possible. If determinism were true, no person would be able to change his actions, therefore no one could ever be held morally responsible for his own actions. Common sense says that we can change our actions by our own choice. (Slife 80-107) Everyone in this world has common sense. In this argument determinism is definitely not true. One can want to do something, but from past experiences, can stop and not do the actions he had planned. A thief, who finally got caught and suffered two awful years in prison, can decide to not steal after seeing a desirable pair οf pants lying openly on a rack. He can restrain himself from doing wrong, after realizing from past consequences. This leads to the next argument. We can and have overcome our desires and inclinations. Both common sense and fact show that we can actively change our behavior. Yet a determinist would say that we only perceive that we can change our actions and behavior. But, that too, is false. Before, I wanted an expensive shirt that I really, really liked, but I, then, remembered the last time I bought a shirt that expensive, begging on my knees to my mom to buy it for me, and I rarely wore it. That made my mom really mad. This would leave me to not buy that desirable shirt, changing my actions (I really have not bought an expensive shirt, after that incident ). Free will states that we do not feel forced to act. At the time οf a decision, we feel we have other choices. A determinist would say to this that such feelings οf control are illusions, that we are just ignorant οf all the irresistible forces acting upon us. Again, I would have to disagree to that. Noticing the consequences οf an action could cause the individual to not act. The feeling οf control is not an illusion; we see the actions and think about what may happen if we acted. Free will says that at a certain time we feel that we could have chosen to act differently. (Morganstein 573) A determinist reply to that is that our behavior is already determined by previous events. Therefore we can not change our behavior. Previous events do affects us; we cannot ignore that. But, like the previous examples, if the previous events consequences were not good, we would mostly likely change, unless that individual was deranged. These arguments on free will definitely does not pertain to all people. Everyone is different. Yet mostly likely, individuals think towards free will. An implication to determinism is that man becomes nothing more than a puppet. That may sound cruel, but it is true. Under the rules οf determinism, man must go by past events, doing the same thing he did in the past, right or wrong. He can not change his behavior, unable to let out his emotions. The man has become a puppet, being controlled and restricted. And in everyday life, determinism does not exist in most lives. (Rockwall 53-66; Vexliard 723-729) It is logical and reasonable to say that the all οf free will is a measure οf our humanness. Whatever we choose will affect our future. But we will base our decisions on what we feel is right, taking in our moral feelings. Free will is a measure οf self-determination that people feel themselves to possess and by which they make moral judgments. There are various definitions οf free will, this has led to difficulty in applying it to human behavior. Philosophers such as Plato, Kant and Descartes have all acknowledge the existence οf free will, to a varying degree. The exercise οf free will consists οf making choices from a genuine selection, free from coercion. As Hobbes suggests freedom means choice. It is only at the actual point οf action that the final outcome will be determined. (Alper 1555-1611) However, this does not imply that human behavior is uncaused or random, this would not be considered as free will in a true sense. It must be acknowledged that there are obvious limits to free will, we could not successfully fly or breathe under water unless aids were available such as a plane or breathing apparatus. For the majority οf society our sense οf moral responsibility and written laws prevent us from acting immorally, anti-socially or criminally. Although this doesnt prevent these events occuring they are considered by some as a form οf punishment or deterrent. (Tinsley 67-71) The British legal system is based on the belief οf free will, even the act οf praise or blame acknowledges free will. When humans act they feel free, even emotions such as regret or remorse are considered as a sign οf free will. The contrasting theory to the free will stance is that οf determinism. There are various degrees and types οf deterministic theory, however, all view that all human behavior is influenced by factors either external, internal or pre-existent. There are various types οf determinism been put forward such as fatalism, religious or scientific? Philosophers such as Locke, Berkeley and Hume have all been exponents οf determinist theory. (Tweney 365-380) Hume viewed human behavior as "uniformity in the actions οf all men in all nations and ages". Hume even goes as far as saying that "human nature remains the same in all its principles and operations". (Rychlak 143-146) Determinist theory, unlike free will, is compatible with the scientific view οf cause and effect which states that all actions are governed by universal laws. This has serious implications for the legal system in Britain, as it states that essentially there is no free will and therefore people may not be held responsible for their actions or decisions. If there is an alternative then this is considered as being causally determined. Determinists believe that a punishment is not suitable for criminal behavior; instead it is more appropriate to treat offenders in an effort to change influencing factors and reduce criminal behavior. Although determinism and free will are considered as mutually exclusive, some philosophers believe that the two theories may be linked. This viewpoint is called soft determinism or compatibilism. (Sappington 19-29) Compatibilists acknowledge that there are factors which influence human behaviour such as those cited by the determinist theorists, however compatibilists acknowledge that there is also a level οf free will available to the individual and that this give them the opportunity to be able to make choices and act in way that they feel is free. Compatibilists believe that to be held responsible, then a person must decide on a course οf action. As long as this action is in keeping with their character then they are deemed as responsible. An action is also considered as free if there have been alternatives available and that there has been no coercion involved. With the rise οf science this has led to a greater understanding οf what factors may actually be responsible for influencing human behavior. Basic human drives like hunger and thirst are acknowledge as an influencing factor οf behavior, however due to the rise οf scientific disciplines such as psychology, physiology, pharmacology, biochemistry etc this has now led to an increase in the possible factors that may influence behavior. Recent research has suggested that homosexuality may in fact not be an individual’s choice but instead may a direct result οf their genetic make-up. The theory suggested by compatibilists combines both theories and is the most acceptable from the view point οf the majority οf society as it suggests that we still have control over the direction οf our lives. As B F Skinner has stated free will may not be based on reason but instead may be primitive superstition, humans may not be able to fully accept that we have no control over our lives and create the illusion οf free will. It could be considered that free will provides the drive for human existence, there would be no point οf existing solely as a pawn in either gods or natures masterplan. If science succeeds in proving that human behavior is determined by factors outside our control then this has serious repercussions for society as a whole, morality as we know it depends heavily on the belief οf free will. As science improves, the limits οf free will may recede, until then ignorance is bliss. The free will and determinism debate has significant relevance when applied to many areas οf social science, especially psychology. The determinist stance can be considered as one οf the basic foundations οf psychology. Determinism states that every event is directly caused and it is the aim οf psychology to uncover the causes οf behavior, with the possibility οf being able to predict and control. Determinism is incorporated within many areas οf psychology such as physiological, social, biological which can all be considered as influencing behavior to a varying degree. Reductionism can be considered as an extreme form οf determinism in that it states that an event may be fully understood by uncovering the constituent parts. Reductionism ignores other levels οf explanations and focuses on one level i.e. physiological determinism states that mental illness should only consider physical causes and in turn treated at a physical level. This view was reinforced by the discovery that a sever psychosis called "general paresis οf the insane" was linked to a tertiary stage οf syphilis. Psychoanalysis may be considered as another deterministic theory οf behavior. This theory was developed by Sigmund Freud. Freud stated that there were three elements to a personality the id, superego and ego. The id is driven by biological and psychic energy and operates in accordance with the pleasure principle i.e. that it seeks pleasure and avoids pain. The demands οf the id are in constant conflict with that οf the super ego which can be considered as the moral aspect οf the personality. The superego consists οf two parts, firstly that οf the ego-ideal which can be considered as the reward system which operates by making us feel proud or satisfied. The second element is that οf the conscience which prevents morally wrong behavior by using guilt and shame as a form οf punishment. The ego has an arbitrary role between the demands οf the id and the superego. The ego operates according to the reality principle which keeps the desires οf the id in check until a suitable outlet can be found. This all operates at an unconscious level and therefore the concept οf free will has no influence over behavior. Another form οf determinism is that οf behaviorism. Initially developed by John Watson, it has developed further by people such as Pavlov who developed classical conditioning and B.F. skinner who developed operant conditioning. Behaviorism accounts for behavior in purely observational terms and does not incorporate factors such as cognitive processes. Radical behaviorism states that there is a direct link between the environment and organism, which in turn determines future behavior. This type οf behaviorism can be considered as reductionist in nature. Classical conditioning developed by Ivan Pavlov and operant conditioning developed by B.F. Skinner have been practically applied to areas οf real life in an effort to shape behavior. Classical conditioning techniques have been used within advertising. Operant conditioning techniques are also used commonly such as seat belt warning sign which flashes continually until the belt is put on. Recent developments such as social learning theory have been used in an attempt to explain complex social behaviors such as gender role and moral behavior. Yet again these theories do not account for, or even acknowledge the concept οf free will as an influencing factor. However this is not to say that free will is not present within psychology. The role οf free will within psychology can be considered as being incorporated within the soft determinist or compatibilist stance. The definition οf free will within the context οf psychology states that the person must act consistently in character, free from external coercion. The psychoanalytical theorist Erich Fromm viewed personality as not fixed and unchanging, instead Fromm believed that people had the ability to change their selves and their relationships with their family. Fromm described this ideal type οf personality which he felt was the only type that could truly enjoy freedom. Fromm called this the productive character, and stated that people who possessed this type οf character were creative, loving and secure. There are, however, factors which Fromm highlights as influencing behavior such as social, economic and interpersonal relationships. Fromm believed that the ability οf humans to view themselves and the world objectively separates them from nature which in turn gives humans freedom. Another aspect οf psychology which incorporates free will is that οf humanistic therapy. This was developed in the 1950s as a reaction to the pessimistic and determinist nature οf behaviorism and psychoanalysis. Humanistic therapy has been applied mainly to mental health. This technique uses the therapist or group as a base which provides the patient with a warm, positive relationship. Through this type οf treatment the patient is encouraged to explore various life options and to utilize their talents and abilities. Essentially this therapy reasserts the patients sense οf free will and gives them the opportunity to control and direct their life. Existentialist therapy argues that to understand human existence, the choices that are made have to be fully understood. Existentialists emphasize the role οf free will, and the choices that are available to an individual. Existentialism therefore maintains that as a person is directly responsible for their actions it is not valid to use illness as an excuse. Mental health is viewed as a choice οf the patient. (Viney 129-141) Ontologically secure people have a positive sense οf their own identity and their place within society. Ontological insecurity may develop as a result οf a disturbed upbringing within the family. The person feels insecure and fails to develop a strong and confident sense οf self. Essentially this means that the person has failed to develop a sense οf free will and control over their actions, they fail to assert their selves and tend to be easily led by others, therefore failing to act freely. Works Cited Alper, J. (1998). Genes, free will, and criminal responsibility. Social Science & Medicine, 46, 1555-1611. Morganstein, S. (1974). Psychic determinism versus freedom οf choice: Order versus chaos. American Psychologist, 29, 573. Rockwall, W. T. (1994). Beyond determinism and indignity: A reinterpretation οf operant conditioning. Behavior & Philosophy, 22(1), 53-66. Rychlak, J. F. (1994). Four kinds οf "determinism" and free will: A response to Viney and Crosby. New Ideas in Psychology, 12(2), 143-146. Sappington, A. A. (1990). Recent psychological approaches to the free will versus determinism issue. Psychological Bulletin, 108, 19-29. Slife, B. D., & Fisher, A. M. (2000). Modern and postmodern approaches to the free will/determinism dilemma in psychotherapy. Journal οf Humanistic Psychology, 40(1), 80-107. Tinsley, D. J. (1993). Response to "Steps Toward a Science οf Free Will" Determinism, nondeterminism, and the distinction between uncaused and unpredictable behavior. Counseling and Values, 38, 67-71. Tweney, R. D. (1997). Jonathan Edwards and determinism. Journal οf the History οf the Behavioral Sciences, 33, 365-380. Vexliard, A. (1986-1987). Determinism in psychology and the work οf "Rene Zazzo." Bulletin de Psychologie, 40, 723-729. Viney, D. W, & Crosby, D. A. (1994). Free will in process perspective. New Ideas in Psychology, 12(2), 129-141 Read More