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Philosophical Issues: Freedom and Determinism, 2002.
Examining the question of what forces direct human decision-making and action.
1,012 words (approx. 4.0 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 35.95
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Abstract
This paper first defines the philosophical issue of freedom and determinism. It then highlights significant points of debate and controversial issues within this question. It concludes with personal views and thoughts on the debate between freedom versus determinism.
From the Paper
"?Freedom versus determinism.? The key question surrounding those largely conceptual words is this: In viewing human actions and decisions, are our choices predetermined in some way or are they of our own free will? There are two extreme philosophical positions in this debate and many spots in between where enlightened thinkers can, with a perfectly rational argument, ?pitch their tent? and camp. The most avid supporters of free will argue that many or all decisions are the result of people simply doing something; making a decision on the spot with intuition and their own natural understanding that we have free choice in our actions. They believe that to attempt to argue that a decision or act is predetermined is failing to recognize that human behavior is unpredictable (Burr and Goldinger 32). Philosophers who believe in free will can point to a variety of experiences and situations that occur in life that support their view. At the other end of the spectrum in this discussion are those who believe in determinism, in the view that human actions are as predictable as any other type of event (Burr and Goldinger 30). The experiences, heredity, desires, and other circumstances that exist before we act make a particular action in any situation inevitable (Nagel 51). A kind of total predictability seems to develop with this strong deterministic belief."
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A Question of Responsibility: Freedom and Determinism, 2002.
A look at the function of ethics in the debate between freedom and determinism.
900 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 3 sources, $ 35.95
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Abstract
This essay will argue that the debate between freedom and determinism is not a moot or abstract philosophical argument but is, rather, a profoundly practical question given that, at its core, it deals with the attribution of moral responsibility for action. As will be seen, although thinkers who reflect on this question often resort to complex thought problems, in the end the debate invariably returns to the issue of whether individuals can be considered morally responsible for their actions.
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Freedom and Determinism, 2002.
A discussion on the rejection of the libertarian position and the affirmation of soft determinism.
1,400 words (approx. 5.6 pages), 2 sources, $ 53.95
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Abstract
This paper is an analysis and overview of the concepts of freedom over and against 'determinism'. The position of determinism will be defended in light of a passage or paragraph taken from the work and philosophy of Baron d' Holbach. This paper will begin with a general overview of the positions involved in the debate. In turn, following the overview of freewill, determinism, and compatibilism, this paper will present an analysis of both the 'passage' or 'quote' in question, but also outline some of the tenets and ideas of B.F. Skinner from a work titled 'Beyond Freedom and Dignity'. Next, an argument will be presented which defends a 'soft determinist' or 'compatibilist' argument which is made by A.J. Ayer.
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Leibniz: Reconciling Freedom with Determinism., 2002.
This paper discusses Leibniz's views regarding the compatibility of free will and determinism.
1,400 words (approx. 5.6 pages), 5 sources, $ 53.95
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Abstract
Leibniz's explanations regarding the will of God are explores, as well as studying the thoughts of Hume, Augustine, and Aquinas. Due to this, this paper concludes that predestination and free will can, in fact, be very much mutually inclusive. As Leibniz profoundly showed, since man has free will, he is responsible for what he does. God's foreknowledge, therefore, does not, and cannot, impose necessity.
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Falwell vs. Flynt: A Freedom Issue, 2004.
Studies the legal case of Jerry Falwell vs. Larry Flynt and its implications for the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.
2,605 words (approx. 10.4 pages), 9 sources, APA, $ 78.95
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Abstract
This paper summarizes the legal case that popular television evangelist, Jerry Falwell, brought against Hustler Magazine owner, Larry Flynt, for libel, invasion of privacy, and emotional distress. The paper also looks at the significance of the final decision in this case regarding America's most fundamental freedoms as guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.
From the Paper
"While I originally felt that Flynt should not have the right to publicly humiliate Falwell in a nasty publication, this case made me examine the issue as a whole. If Falwell had won this lawsuit, the media would be very different today. The editorial cartoons would not poke fun at our nation?s leaders and opinion columns would be more reserved in their pinion. I recently read a hilarious parody article about the Hilton sisters in a men?s magazine. If Falwell had won the lawsuit, I would never have seen this in a magazine. "
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Philosophers' Conceptions of Human Freedom, 2008.
Compares Karl Marx's conception of human freedom to that of John Stuart Mill and Jean Jacques Rousseau.
1,260 words (approx. 5.0 pages), 7 sources, MLA, $ 42.95
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Abstract
This paper stresses that philosophers have long pursued a deeper understanding of the nature of human freedom. The paper describes the beliefs of Jean Jacques Rousseau, which purport that human freedom is achieved through the rejection of the modern and the material in an effort to reach a more primitive and natural human state. The paper then relates that John Stuart Mill accepts modern society but dictates that it must be structured to facilitate happiness in the greatest number of society's individuals, thus arguing that human freedom is achieved through personal-political freedoms. The paper then suggests that both of these philosophies are too unrealistic, allowing for little or no clear path toward freedom. The paper concludes that a more realistic Karl Marx provides the idea that society can only move toward freedom after understanding the material conditions of society.
From the Paper
"Marx would say that this definition of freedom is too abstract. By Marx's terms, Mill's definition is not really freedom because it does not take into consideration the many factors of politics, society, and history. For example, a man in Mill's ideal society cannot achieve freedom simply through the pursuit of happiness and the lessening of pain. The man must still work, whether or not he is encouraged to choose the type of work. In a capitalist society, a larger body or industry will inevitably control his work."
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Free Will vs. Determinism, 1991.
This paper discusses three possibilities concerning the problem of free will versus determinism: Lack of freedom, some freedom amd total freedom.
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 5 sources, $ 39.95
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From the Paper
"This paper discusses the following three possibilities concerning the problem of free will versus determinism: (1) No one is free; (2) Some people are more free than others; and (3) Everyone is free.
The concept that no one is free is basically a form of hard determinism, which takes the position that humans lack free will because their decisions are determined.
The idea that some people are more free than others is actually soft determinism, which is the view that humans have free will not as a result of indeterminism, whether or not determinism is true. More simply stated, both determinism and free will are in some way true. This approach is really a compromise and attempts to find a philosophical place for both of .... "
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A Discussion of the Truth in Freedom, 2002.
A comparative analysis of "Delusion of Free Will" by Robert Blatchford and "Freedom and Determinism" by Richard Taylor on free will and freedom.
1,650 words (approx. 6.6 pages), 2 sources, $ 62.95
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Abstract
This paper looks at two essays concerning free will and freedom. The first, "Delusion of Free Will" by Robert Blatchford, and the second, "Freedom and Determinism" by Richard Taylor. This paper will compare and contrast the opinions of these two philosophers and the understand of true freedom.
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Determinism, 2005.
A philosophical discussion about the concept of determinism.
1,025 words (approx. 4.1 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 36.95
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Abstract
Are people and their situations the result of their own actions or are they merely a pawn in the game of life with every move already predetermined? Do people truly have autonomy, or are they controlled by determinism? This paper examines these questions by discussing theories related to determinism.
From the Paper
"Determinism is often defined as a theory that some higher power or law guides every aspect of the universe, as is the case of God's law in Christianity. Every facet of the universe depends upon and is conditioned by their causes. In 'hard' determinism, every facet of existence is directly a cause by the law . In hard determinism, every event in life is a direct effect of all the events that preceded it; therefore, these events are set and predetermined."
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Determinism and Free Will, 2004.
A philosophical debate regarding the co-existence of determinism and free will in one's life.
1,458 words (approx. 5.8 pages), 7 sources, MLA, $ 48.95
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Abstract
The conflict between determinism and free will is a long-standing one. It is one of those philosophical issues that might never be fortunate enough to receive a unanimously agreed upon solution, and, for this reason, it is up to each person how he views the issues and seeks to resolve it. This paper explains that, as with most philosophical theories, the relationship of determinism and free will is a contentious issue because they oppose each other, and in order to support one, you need to give up the other. It is generally believed that the two cannot exist together for they are in conflict with each other and, thus, are incompatible. This paper provides definitions of the terms in order to help the reader decide whether the two are compatible or not and if free will has any place in the doctrine of determinism.
From the Paper
"Determinism therefore ignores the role of choices or moral responsibility and primarily focuses on the role of previous events or cause in the creation of a new event. For example, when a person misbehaves with an elderly determinism would free him of his moral responsibility to have behaved more properly and instead study the causes of his behavior. Determinists believe that behind every current event is a past cause or event and keeping this view in mind, we would probably acquit the misbehaving person and instead accuse those past causes and events that mad him behave the way he did."
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The Internet and Freedom of Expression, 2002.
Argues that the Information Age has not really altered the fundamental issues surrounding freedom of speech and censorship.
1,900 words (approx. 7.6 pages), 9 sources, $ 71.95
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Abstract
The computer age has produced renewed debate pertaining to questions of freedom and speech, as opposed to censorship. This discussion ventures to explain how the advent of the so-called Information Age does not really alter the dynamics of a longstanding question, or rather a set of questions, that have been basic to political theory among other of the social sciences. Two articles selected from The Canadian Review of Sociology and Anthropology, on radically different topics, help to reveal certain approaches to all questions of communications, the media, and the 'post-modern' age, within academic research. These materials are examined en route to sections that focus directly on issues of the internet and freedom of expression.
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Freedom of Speech: Texts Compared, 2002.
A comparison of the issue of freedom of speech in John Milton's "Areopagitica" and the ACLU's "Fahrenheit 451.2: Is Cyberspace Burning?"
1,400 words (approx. 5.6 pages), 6 sources, $ 53.95
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Abstract
John Milton, in his 17th century essay "Areopagitica", is widely regarded as having written one of history's "noblest vindication of intellectual liberty ever penned" (Morison, 93) with respect to the issue of freedom of speech over printed text. Similarly, the 21st century ACLU online article "Fahrenheit 451.2: Is Cyberspace Burning?" also appears to present an argument in favour of freedom of speech. The primary difference between Milton's argument and that of the ACLU appears to be simply one of different mediums for information access. This paper will argue, however, that Milton's argument differs significantly from that of the ACLU in that Milton never actually advocates freedom of the press. Rather, as will be seen, Milton argues in favour of denying the state the possibility of placing "previous restraint" upon the publication of information. Within this context, Milton supported the possibility of the state banning books or prosecuting writers after publication. The key difference between Milton's view and that of the ACLU is that the latter group advocates a much more sweeping approach to the idea of freedom of speech from all prosecution. However, with respect to the issue of "blocking" access to sites, it is clear that both the ACLU and Milton would be in agreement. As will be argued, the insertion of "blocking" technology clearly places "previous restraint" upon information.
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Freedom of Information, 2002.
This paper examines the issue of freedom of information in how the state relates with its citizens regarding its possession of information.
1,400 words (approx. 5.6 pages), 3 sources, $ 53.95
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Abstract
This paper looks at two specific articles and addresses the issue of freedom of information. This paper concludes that the freedom of information is an aspect that involves the complicated relationship between the state and the citizen in a democracy. The state has a responsibility to protect and to gather information, as well as to disseminate it. But it also has the responsibility of allowing access to the people that elect governments. This often creates a conflict of interest, especially when issues of privacy and national security may be involved.
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Determinism, 2004.
This paper discusses whether there is a meaningful distinction between hard and soft determinism and the implication of this distinction.
1,550 words (approx. 6.2 pages), 4 sources, APA, $ 50.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that philosophers debate, based on Newtonian Determinism, from two views with opposite implications for human life and moral judgment, whether humans genuinely have free will. The author points out that, according to the Hard Determinism point of view, since every individual event is a necessary result of prior causes, the eventual outcome of every single event, which occurs in the universe, is predetermined. The paper relates that Soft Determinism accepts the overall premise that all events in the universe are indeed completely necessary and unchangeable results of events and conditions that precede them, but the distinction between Hard and Soft Determinism is that the latter postulates that free will and the genuine ability to make decisions and to shape our own lives in an ongoing manner are nevertheless possible.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Hard Determinism
Implications of Hard Determinism
Soft Determinism
Implications of Soft Determinism
Conclusion
From the Paper
"The argument is that only inanimate objects and events (such as the tides, earthquakes, and the solar orbits of the planets) are completely determined by preceding natural conditions and events in the manner that the course of Osmo?s life was charted before he lived it. On the other hand, under soft determinism, internal living processes (especially human thoughts) are still subject to free will and mental choices by which sentient beings may determine what happens in their lives, despite the fact that the rest of the (inanimate) universe strictly obeys the principles of hard determinism.
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Determinism, 2003.
A look at the theme of free will and determinism in the context of Richard Taylor's "A Defense of Libertarian Freedom of the Will".
1,084 words (approx. 4.3 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 37.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses how, since man first conceived of or was created by)God, the question of freedom of will has plagued the human race. If God is an all-knowing, all-powerful being, then he must know all of our actions before their execution, and they, therefore, must be, the argument goes, predetermined. It debates how, therefore, our only options would be to limit the knowledge of God or to admit our own lack of freedom. It deals with problems of free will, determinism, omniscience, and omnipotence, incorporating arguments brought up in Richard Taylor's, "A Defense of Libertarian Freedom of the Will."
From the Paper
"Unfortunately, as Taylor shows in his ?A Defense of Libertarian Freedom of the Will,? even blank denial of determinism is ultimately unreasonable. As soon as we suppose that any step in our chain of volition is ?uncaused,? we remove all sense of ?freedom? from our action because we end up admitting that we actually have nothing to do with our actions. If we assume that our body moves in a manner that is uncaused by our ?inner states,? then, obviously, we have no choice in what we do, and although our actions may not be predetermined, they are, nonetheless, far from ?free.? If we say that our bodily movements are caused by our volition, but our volition is uncaused, then similarly, our volition becomes ?unfree? in the manner that our body was in the previous example."
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