Term Paper on "Philosophy Challenging Naturalist Critiques of Free Will"
Term Paper 4 pages (1231 words) Sources: 5 Style: MLA
[EXCERPT] . . . .
PhilosophyChallenging Naturalist Critiques of Free Will
Naturalists have long held that we cannot demonstrate the existence of free will.
They suggest, in the spirit of the Enlightenment philosopher Baron D'Holbach, that the "will [...] is a modification of the brain" (D'Holbach 333). In other words, free will is at best simply a manifestation of natural mechanisms and, at worst, a complete illusion in a deterministic world. This is how the naturalists conceive of free will. But the opposing position would have that free will does exist independent of a priori causes and is additionally a unique feature of the human condition.
A careful, if brief, analysis of the available information reveals that free will does exist, though it would be erroneous to suggest that it somehow exists outside of the normal chain of causation. Human beings have the ability to choose, but those choices are influenced and affected, and do not exist in a moral vacuum. From an ethics standpoint, this is an important point to assert because it means that individual human beings have a moral responsibility to make ethical choices, and that their actions are not fatalistically predetermined.
Traditionally, at the opposite end of the philosophical spectrum from free will is fatalism, or sometimes determinism. Generally championed by naturalists, who can find no mechanism for free will, fatalism argues, "man is a marionette whose every action is controlled and determined" (Frost 128). Though the world often seems as if it is completely outside the control of individuals, fatalism runs contrary to the everyday, lived experiences of most p
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One distinct problem that emerges from this naturalist assertion is how to deal with moral responsibility. How can we hold anyone accountable for his or her actions if said individual doesn't really have any control over his thoughts and behaviors? Some naturalists have gone so far as to argue that while free will doesn't exist in any physical, meaningful way, it plays an important role in social interaction and should be preserved as an abstract concept (Clark par. 3). In other words, even the naturalists recognize the dilemma of assigning moral responsibility in a world without free will. Without the concept of free will, no one person could ever be really responsible for his or her actions, because the choice to behave in one way or another would simply be the effect of other causes outside of the individual's control. As Rand characterizes the matter:
Ethics is an objective, metaphysical necessity of man's survival -- not by the grace of the supernatural nor of your neighbors nor of your whims, but by the grace of reality and the nature of life. (Rand 24).
If this were not the case, hen one's behavior would be nothing more than a deterministic response to external stimuli. In this situation, it would be hypocritical at best to assign moral responsibility… READ MORE
Quoted Instructions for "Philosophy Challenging Naturalist Critiques of Free Will" Assignment:
Source needed has been uploaded to the fax board.
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This essay is an argumentative essay. The complete instructions from my professor state: "Your paper should be focused upon developing an argument for or against. you should not spend a lot of time retelling th position of the athors discussed in your text book or in class. You will not be grded upon the position that you select, but the quality of the argument that you put forward." The subject of my argumentative essay is "D'Holbach in his essay "We Are Completely Determined" argues that without the notion of Freewill the tradistional principles of just punishment and moral rsponsiblity become irrelevant. What is your position on human freewill and how does it effect moral responsiblity?" I want this argumentative paper to prove that free will does exists. It needs to also point out how that effects moral responsibility.
I will include the essay from our texbook via email. I also need other sources to prove the argument, but cannot use several because they are listed in our textbook. The professor wants to see that we researched outside of our textbook. The ones that cannot be used as resources include:
- Wiliam James: The Delemma of Determinism
- Corliss lamont: Fredom of the Will and Human Responsibility
- W. T. Stace: Compatibilism
- Hary Frankfurt: Freedome of the Will and the Concept of a Person
- Richard Taylor: Fate
**I would really like to see something by Ayn Rand as a resource if possible.
I would like 4 additional resources cited besides the textbook, for a total of 5.
The instructions say that I should provide as much information as possible, so I want to add the following:
- The essay should be a well developed argument for free will.
- I need 3 clearly stated arguments to support the existence of free will and one must include the efect on moral responsiblity (or the absence of if there was no free will?).
- The essay must be persuasive and clearly state my thoughts and opinions with hard evidence to back them.
- This essay must also display the oposition and opposing opinions without demeaning my thesis and opinion.
- Please provide a works cited page in MLA format and copies of your sources.
Just to make sure that I'm saying everything...
Listed below is the form I would like used for this argumentative essay. If you cannot accurately present three arguments in a four page paper then feel free to narrow it down to two well presented arguments.
Introduction: Hook, Thesis, Present Both Sides
A. Argument 1
1. Supporting idea 1
2. Supporting idea 2
-Transition
B. Argument 2
1. Supporting idea 1
2. Supporting idea 2
-Transition
C. Argument 3
1. Supporting idea 1
2. Supporting idea 2
-Transition
D. Counter Arguments and Responses
1. Supporting Paragraph: Counter Arguments
2. Supporting Paragraph: Responses
-Transition
Conclusion: Final opinion, include thesis, include some thoughts or insight on the implications of what you've just said or shown.
Lastly, The essay needs to be written in MLA format. I need a title page and a works cited page. Please use and list a total of five sources and include copies of your sources. This essay is to include a minimum of 3 quotes and parenthetical citations for all quotes to direct readers to the full bibliographic citations listed. Please use a hook, such as a quote about the topic, in the opening paragraph before you state the thesis. Please use transitional phrases to begin each new paragraph.
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How to Reference "Philosophy Challenging Naturalist Critiques of Free Will" Term Paper in a Bibliography
“Philosophy Challenging Naturalist Critiques of Free Will.” A1-TermPaper.com, 2007, https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/philosophy-challenging-naturalist-critiques/42341. Accessed 28 Sep 2024.
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