Exam 5: Free Will

Churchland raises the question of whether, given a neurobiological account of human behavior, anyone is ever responsible for anything. How does Churchland answer this question? Are you convinced by her answer? Why or why not?

As neuroscience uncovers the mechanisms regulating human choices and social behavior, Churchland admits that it is natural to question whether anyone really chooses anything. What is the correct answer to this question in your view? Explain and defend your answer

James ultimately accepts indeterminism because

The soft determinist accepts that

Hume claims that everyone acts as if the doctrine of necessity is false, even though in words they acknowledge it as true.

The principle of alternative possibilities states that a person __________ for what he has done only if he could have done otherwise.

Some have thought that Frankfurt's case of Jones and Black is unfair to the proponent of the principle of alternative possibilities. Explain why one might think this.

What is the doctrine of liberty? Why does Hume think it is compatible with the doctrine of necessity?

According to Stace, free acts are

How does Stace distinguish between free actions and unfree actions? Do you agree with him? Explain.

Summarize Levy's argument against Frankfurt (previous reading). Do you find it convincing? Explain.

James ultimately accepts soft determinism.

According to Hume, chance

One problem Nagel claims we face if determinism is true is

How does Stace argue for the compatibility of free will and predictability?

Do you find Frankfurt's counterexample to the principle of alternative possibilities convincing? Explain.

Churchland's own conception of free will is based on

Construct a counterexample to the principle of alternative possibilities of your own and explain why it shows the principle to be "false".

According to Churchland, self-control can be diminished by

If the principle of alternative possibilities is false, then