Jaap Hage, Free Will and Responsibility

Free Will and Responsibility

Jaap Hage

This lecture deals with free will and responsibility. In its first half, two arguments against the existence of free will are discussed. The second half addresses the consequences of (the lack of) free will for legal responsibility.

1

Free will and responsibility

1 / 4

What form of compatibility is relevant for the issue of whether a criminal deserves to be punished?

Only the compatibility of determinism and free will.

Only the compatibility of the lack of free will and legal responsibility.

Both forms of compatibility are relevant for the issue of whether a criminal deserves to be punished.

2 / 4

How is the view that the mind is modular related to the existence of a free will?

If the mind is modular, agents cannot be conscious and there is no free will

If the mind is modular, there is no single agent which determines what will be done and there is no free will.

There is no relation between the modularity of mind and the existence of a free will.

3 / 4

How is quantum theory related to the existence of a free will?

Quantum theory refutes one possible reason against a free will.

If quantum theory is true, then the future is determined by quantum laws and there is no free will.

If quantum theory is true, then fatalism is also true and there is no free will.

4 / 4

Which alternative mentions two reasons against the existence of a free will?

Determinism and fatalism

Fatalism and the lack of a self

The lack of a self and determinism

Your score is

Free Will and Responsibility

Jaap Hage

Lecture Part 1

Part 2

Quiz