General Philosophy 7.4 Making Sense of Free Will and Moral Responsibility
Dec 1, 2010
Dive into a philosophical journey exploring the intricate dance between free will and moral responsibility. Unpack Hume's argument that morality springs from human sentiments, even within a deterministic world. Discover how desires shape our actions, contrasting first-order and second-order desires while confronting the challenges posed by addiction. The conversation raises thought-provoking questions about personal freedom and the nature of choice in a seemingly predetermined universe.
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Dilemma of Free Will and Determinism
- Free will seems dubious if all our actions were determined long before we were born.
- However, denying determinism and suggesting randomness struggles to uphold moral responsibility.
Hume’s Sentimentalism on Morality
- Hume's sentimentalism grounds morality in human feelings like sympathy, not abstract metaphysical rules.
- This view disconnects moral resentment from determinism, making moral responsibility compatible with it.
Freedom Beyond Acting on Will
- Simply acting according to one's will doesn't capture true freedom.
- People like addicts are slaves to their will, showing there's a difference in freedom levels.
