Free Will: Problem and Solutions
The debate over the metaphysical problem of freedom is one of the oldest in philosophy. I believe that this problem can be reduced to one basic question: Do we have free will or are all of our actions determined? The answer to this question is relevant (and closely tied) to the concept of moral responsibility.
Firstly, when taking any position in the problem of free will, there are three statements that one must consider:
1. Our actions are causally determined.
2. If our actions are determined, then we cannot be morally responsible for them.
3. We have the freedom necessary to be morally responsible for our actions.
It is obvious that not all of these statements can coexist with each other. Any two of
them may be accepted, but the third must be rejected. Considering these three statements, there are three positions that one can take in the free will debate: determinism, libertarianism, and compatibilism. Determinists accept statements 1 and 2, but reject statement 3. They agree with the thesis of universal causation, and hold that we are not morally responsible for our actions. Libertarianists accept statements 2 and 3 and reject statement 1. They argue that we do have metaphysical freedom, and while some events may be caused, not all of them are. Compatibilists accept statements 1 and 3 while rejecting statement 2. They say we are determined, but we are still free enough to be morally responsible for our actions.
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Being a compatibilist, W.T Stace believes in the existence of free will and in it's consistency with determinism. Stace begins by explaining that without the existence of free will, there could be no morality. Without ...