...Beauty, cleaning, DIY tips and more - free to join!
   Login   Contact us   Site map   Puzzle Club   Ask a question    Newsletter

Are free will and determinism compatible?


Question asked by: knowitall

As usual with philosophy there are two schools of thought on this interesting question.

Broadly they are the compatibilist set of theories that state that free will and determinism can be true together whilst for incompatibilism they can't and you need to make an either or decision with regard which you believe in.

The divide comes down to definition of free will more than determinism which more people are clear about.

If free will requires randomness of some sort, randomness that is not 'caused' but in some sense truly random then they are not compatible, whilst if free will just means a cause and effect path that is perhaps very complex and hidden from us so that things seem random then they are compatible.

By: Unknown
star star star star
Average rating for this answer is 4 / 5

Rate Answer
Comment or provide your answer to this question

Comments and other answers:

Free will can be justified by determinism since each action can be simple or difficult the aspects are of no importance the conclusion is what determined by free will as each involved to fulfill an aspect both compatibilities are essential .
By: Raiden

Date of comment: Mon, Oct 27th 2008

Ask a New Question

Find out more about Philosophy

Philosophy Questions and Answers

free will and determinism Questions and Answers

Next question: If there is no free will does the concept of responsibility still make sense?


Become a Member! It's Free >>>

Share on Facebook: On Twitter: TwitterTweet this!

Question Keywords

determinism  compatible  free  

More Questions:

What Is Moral Relativism?
What Is Right?
Plato The Laches
What Am I Doing Here?
How Sure Are You That You Are Sure?