Philosophical Perspectives on Free Will

The video explores the philosophical debate between libertarian free will and hard determinism. It begins with the story of Oedipus to illustrate the concept of fate. Libertarian free will suggests that humans can make free choices, while hard determinism argues that every action is predetermined by prior events. The video discusses reductionism, which ties mental states to physical states, supporting determinism. It concludes with the implications of determinism on personal responsibility and free will, questioning the validity of our perceived freedom.

What is the main philosophical question raised by the story of Oedipus?

• Can fate be avoided?

• Is love more powerful than fate?

• Can prophecy be trusted?

• Is family more important than destiny?

What does libertarian free will suggest about human actions?

• They are predetermined by past events.

• They are influenced by external factors.

• They are free and independent of past events.

• They are random and unpredictable.

How does hard determinism view the relationship between cause and effect?

• Every effect is the result of a previous cause.

• Effects can occur without causes.

• Causes are irrelevant to effects.

• Every effect is independent of its cause.

What is the Principle of Alternate Possibilities?

• An action is free only if the agent could have done otherwise.

• An action is free if it is not influenced by external factors.

• An action is free if it is predetermined.

• An action is free if it is random.

What is a key challenge for libertarian free will?

• Proving the existence of alternate realities.

• Explaining the randomness of decisions.

• Justifying the feeling of freedom.

• Accounting for the deterministic nature of the physical world.

What does reductionism suggest about mental states?

• They are unrelated to biological states.

• They are the same as brain states.

• They are independent of physical states.

• They are purely spiritual.

According to hard determinists, what are human actions a result of?

• Invisible causes in the brain.

• External influences.

• Free will.

• Random choices.

What does hard determinism imply about personal responsibility?

• It is essential for moral behavior.

• It is based on free will.

• It is a social construct.

• It is irrelevant because actions are predetermined.

What does the feeling of freedom suggest according to libertarians?

• It is an illusion.

• It should be taken seriously as evidence of free will.

• It is a result of social conditioning.

• It is irrelevant to philosophical discussions.

What is the main implication of hard determinism on human actions?

• They are free and independent.

• They are predetermined and inevitable.

• They are random and unpredictable.

• They are influenced by supernatural forces.