General Philosophy 7.2 Different Concepts of Freedom
Dec 1, 2010
Delve into Hobbes and Hume's contrasting views on free will! Explore the complexities of freedom, where Hobbes sees it as the absence of opposition and Hume emphasizes intentionality. The discussion turns to moral dilemmas faced during life-threatening situations, weighing moral responsibility against coercive actions. Different scenarios of leaving a lecture provide a fascinating backdrop to examine how context and intention influence our sense of accountability. Get ready for a thought-provoking exploration of freedom and responsibility!
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Hobbes' Compatibilist Freedom
- Hobbes defines freedom as absence of external impediments to do what one has a will to do.
- This commonsensical freedom aligns with determinism and supports compatibilism.
Contrastive Argument for Compatibilism
- Compatibilists contrast free acts with coerced or constrained acts, not caused versus uncaused.
- Freedom depends on absence of compulsion, linking it closely to moral responsibility.
Hume's Minimalist Liberty
- Hume sees liberty as the power to act or not act according to the will's determination.
- This minimalist freedom belongs to anyone not literally imprisoned in chains.