Free Will Argument

Introduction The enduring age-old discussion regarding the existence of the independence or dependence of free will on moral responsibility are arguments supported by philosophers such as Robert Kane and Hume. There are those that contend that free will does not exists while others believe we have control over our actions. The existence of free will without moral responsibility will be explored through the arguments of free will and determinism, while the dependency will be discussed based on the “maxim” principle. It is important to address the components that defines ‘morally responsible’ and ‘free will’ in my arguments, since the terms have different connotations. Hume argues the problems linked to determinism and libertinism …show more content…
Hard determinism supports the claim that humans have no free will; in addition this claim is based on free will is incompatible with determinism, and free will is nonexistent since determinism is true and furthermore there is no room for decisions or choices since our live have been determined. Determinism is based on the “reductio” concept that every action is based strictly on the effect of a cause and furthermore this cause is itself the necessary effect of a previous cause, therefore, an acceptable explanation would require returning to the very first cause (prime mover). This concept is s cause and effect relationship in accordance with the laws of nature, it is a view that says one has a say in determining ones fate and choices in the future. The past is fixed and cannot be changed, there we are not free to choose since our decisions have been influenced by the past, we are hence forth determined by our past and natural laws. It is through determinism that we are able to be morally …show more content…
Kane’s argument supporting free will is outdated and weak since just suggesting that we are rational beings enable us to have free will is just that a suggestion not substantiated by enough evidence to be considered factual. Rationality allows us to reason as humans, but this does not mean we are free; however it is this that contributes to our decision making, however we are pre-determined in decision making because we are influenced by past experiences for example we can reason not to place our hands in the burning flame, this is not a random choice, it is a decision based on past experience or seeing the occurrence that we think has no effect, is the occurrence that will always affect us. There is always something external influencing us and will affect us in decision making it is therefore impossible to claim that we made the decision freely. Determinist argues that human beings are pre-determined therefore we are unable to attain moral responsibility; to be morally responsible we must have chosen to morally