Philosophy in Fall:Philosophy in Fall:What is Choice?What is Choice?

Feraco-EberleFeraco-Eberle

SFHPSFHP

4 November 20084 November 2008

Remind Me Again…Remind Me Again…What What isis Philosophy? Philosophy?

Phi-los-o-phy:Phi-los-o-phy: The rational investigation of the The rational investigation of the

truths and principles of being, truths and principles of being, knowledge, or conduct.knowledge, or conduct.

Phi-los-o-pher:Phi-los-o-pher: A lover of wisdom; a A lover of wisdom; a

seeker who seeker who questions (see questions (see “skeptic,” which “skeptic,” which we’ll cover later)we’ll cover later)

What’s “Philosophy in What’s “Philosophy in Fall”?Fall”?

A mini-unit that bridges the A mini-unit that bridges the gap between our studies of gap between our studies of SiddharthaSiddhartha and and BeowulfBeowulf

A “question series” that will A “question series” that will help focus our studieshelp focus our studies

A discussion-based forum A discussion-based forum for learning that invites you for learning that invites you to go toe to toe with some to go toe to toe with some of humanity’s greatest of humanity’s greatest thinkersthinkers

A venue for expanding your A venue for expanding your conceptions of the world – conceptions of the world – as well as of as well as of who you arewho you are!! What’s your philosophy?What’s your philosophy?

The Question SeriesThe Question Series Tuesday: What is Choice?Tuesday: What is Choice? Wednesday: What is Morality?Wednesday: What is Morality? Thursday: What is Happiness?Thursday: What is Happiness? Friday: What is the Soul?Friday: What is the Soul? Next Wednesday: What is Death?Next Wednesday: What is Death? Next Thursday: What is the Meaning of Life?Next Thursday: What is the Meaning of Life? Next Friday: My Philosophy (Rough Draft)Next Friday: My Philosophy (Rough Draft)

What is Choice?What is Choice? Choice vs. DestinyChoice vs. Destiny Morality as a Function Morality as a Function

of Free Willof Free Will Consequences of FateConsequences of Fate Universal CausalityUniversal Causality Arguments Against Arguments Against

Free WillFree Will The “God” ArgumentThe “God” Argument The “Logic” ArgumentThe “Logic” Argument The “Determinism” The “Determinism”

ArgumentArgument

Arguments For Free Arguments For Free WillWill

Determinists vs. Determinists vs. Libertarians vs. Libertarians vs. Compatibilists vs. Compatibilists vs. AgentsAgents

What Are Your Views What Are Your Views on Choice and Free on Choice and Free Will? (If You Can Make Will? (If You Can Make Choices, What Factors Choices, What Factors Influence Them?) (How Influence Them?) (How Do These Views Affect Do These Views Affect Everything Else?) Everything Else?)

Choice vs. DestinyChoice vs. Destiny A simple question: Do you think it’s important to A simple question: Do you think it’s important to

have free will? Would you be OK without it?have free will? Would you be OK without it? There There seems to beseems to be a simple either-or proposition a simple either-or proposition

when it comes to free will: Either we have it, or we when it comes to free will: Either we have it, or we don’t.don’t.

If we have control, can it be superseded by something If we have control, can it be superseded by something else?else?

If If wewe don’t have control, who does? don’t have control, who does? Can that control be trusted?Can that control be trusted? Does truth lie somewhere in between?Does truth lie somewhere in between?

Can life still be meaningful without control?Can life still be meaningful without control?

Choice vs. Destiny in Choice vs. Destiny in “The Matrix”“The Matrix”

How much control does Neo have over How much control does Neo have over what happens to him?what happens to him? Is he a free agent, or a piece on a chessboard?Is he a free agent, or a piece on a chessboard?

How many choices does Neo make?How many choices does Neo make? How many people try to influence him?How many people try to influence him? Does Neo have a destiny?Does Neo have a destiny? Is it possible for Neo to fail if he has a Is it possible for Neo to fail if he has a

destiny?destiny? Does he still have to look both ways while Does he still have to look both ways while

crossing the street?crossing the street?

Morality as a Function Morality as a Function of Free Willof Free Will

Let’s assume for a minute that destiny exists Let’s assume for a minute that destiny exists – and that choice doesn’t– and that choice doesn’t

Do we still have morals?Do we still have morals? What happens to responsibility?What happens to responsibility? Are we still “creative”?Are we still “creative”?

Now let’s assume that destiny doesn’t exist, Now let’s assume that destiny doesn’t exist, but that choice doesbut that choice does

What happens to Siddhartha’s karma?What happens to Siddhartha’s karma?

Siddhartha’s Existential Siddhartha’s Existential CrisisCrisis IfIf choice doesn’t exist, can choice doesn’t exist, can

Siddhartha really “find his own Siddhartha really “find his own way”? (And he thought way”? (And he thought teachersteachers were the problem…) were the problem…)

Is he responsible at all for Is he responsible at all for whether he breaks free of whether he breaks free of samsara?samsara?

If choice isn’t possible, doesn’t If choice isn’t possible, doesn’t the samsara cycle seem that the samsara cycle seem that much crueler?much crueler?

Is it even possible to live one’s Is it even possible to live one’s life under the assumption that life under the assumption that all appearance of choice is all appearance of choice is meaningless, and that nothing meaningless, and that nothing is in our own control?is in our own control? Isn’t this the antithesis of Isn’t this the antithesis of

Siddhartha’s entire world-view?Siddhartha’s entire world-view?

Consequences of Fate Consequences of Fate and Universal Causalityand Universal Causality

Universal causality states that every effect has a Universal causality states that every effect has a cause, which is in turn the effect of another causecause, which is in turn the effect of another cause

It makes one wonder what the original “cause” was!It makes one wonder what the original “cause” was! This was Einstein’s world-viewThis was Einstein’s world-view

The problem with causality is that it presupposes The problem with causality is that it presupposes that choice is an illusion – that everything we do is that choice is an illusion – that everything we do is simply the inevitable after-effect of some cause, simply the inevitable after-effect of some cause, seen or unseen, and that we’re essentially just seen or unseen, and that we’re essentially just vessels for cause/effect deliveryvessels for cause/effect delivery

This is also known as “determinism.”This is also known as “determinism.”

Arguments Against Free Arguments Against Free WillWill

Besides UC/Determinism, two other popular Besides UC/Determinism, two other popular arguments against free will often surfacearguments against free will often surface

The “God” argument: God is omnipotent and The “God” argument: God is omnipotent and omniscient (all-powerful and all-seeing), which omniscient (all-powerful and all-seeing), which makes God infallible; God knows the future as a makes God infallible; God knows the future as a result of the “omni” combination; therefore, God result of the “omni” combination; therefore, God can’t possibly be wrong about the future – which can’t possibly be wrong about the future – which means we can only do what God already sees, and means we can only do what God already sees, and can’t possibly do otherwise can’t possibly do otherwise

Arguments Against Free Arguments Against Free WillWill

The second argument is the “Logic” argumentThe second argument is the “Logic” argument ““Excluded Middle” law states that absolutes exist for Excluded Middle” law states that absolutes exist for

every proposition: Either P or Not P is true, with no every proposition: Either P or Not P is true, with no middle groundmiddle ground

““Noncontradiction” law states that P and Not P can’t be Noncontradiction” law states that P and Not P can’t be true at the same timetrue at the same time

Let our proposition – P – be “Albert – you’re going to fail Let our proposition – P – be “Albert – you’re going to fail your midterm today.”your midterm today.”

Either he will or he won’t; if he Either he will or he won’t; if he willwill, nothing that , nothing that happens between now and then will stop him from happens between now and then will stop him from doing so; if he won’t, the same holds true, right?doing so; if he won’t, the same holds true, right?

Now it looks like Albert has two “options” – he either Now it looks like Albert has two “options” – he either will or won’t fail. However, since only will or won’t fail. However, since only oneone can be true, can be true, only one is really present – and he’s powerless to only one is really present – and he’s powerless to choose the otherchoose the other

In order to be free, you have to have choices – and In order to be free, you have to have choices – and Albert doesn’t really have them. (Scary!)Albert doesn’t really have them. (Scary!)

So Free Will Doesn’t So Free Will Doesn’t Exist?Exist? Not necessarily; there’s a reason this question has Not necessarily; there’s a reason this question has

fascinated people for centuries.fascinated people for centuries. For the “God” argument, we can say that the “omni” force For the “God” argument, we can say that the “omni” force

can perfectly see the things it controls – and that, because can perfectly see the things it controls – and that, because it knows its creations so well, it can accurately predict any it knows its creations so well, it can accurately predict any possible choice one could make in response to a given possible choice one could make in response to a given situation. However, it could still grant us free will – and situation. However, it could still grant us free will – and therefore serves more as someone who’s really good at a therefore serves more as someone who’s really good at a strategy game (still sees the endgame, predicts the strategy game (still sees the endgame, predicts the actions of the other player, and brings about the steps to actions of the other player, and brings about the steps to make that endgame real – but doesn’t need to absolutely make that endgame real – but doesn’t need to absolutely control the actions of the other player)control the actions of the other player)

““We are responsible human beings, not blind automatons; We are responsible human beings, not blind automatons; persons, not puppets. By endowing us with freedom, God persons, not puppets. By endowing us with freedom, God relinquished a measure of his own sovereignty and relinquished a measure of his own sovereignty and imposed certain limitations upon himself.” – Martin Luther imposed certain limitations upon himself.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.King, Jr.

So Free Will Doesn’t So Free Will Doesn’t Exist?Exist?

As for the “logic” scenario, let’s say that Albert really, As for the “logic” scenario, let’s say that Albert really, really doesn’t want to fail his midterm.really doesn’t want to fail his midterm.

We’ll also say he’s “destined” to pass. (Whew.)We’ll also say he’s “destined” to pass. (Whew.) Does this really mean he has no choice?Does this really mean he has no choice? After all, there are different ways to passAfter all, there are different ways to pass

He can study aloneHe can study alone He can study with friendsHe can study with friends He can speak with his instructor (always a good idea)He can speak with his instructor (always a good idea) He can He can cheatcheat (tsk tsk) (tsk tsk)

In any case, Albert still has choices within his outcome! In any case, Albert still has choices within his outcome! You know you’re going to eat, but you don’t necessarily know You know you’re going to eat, but you don’t necessarily know

what you’ll eat – and that decision could very well be yours after what you’ll eat – and that decision could very well be yours after all!all!

So DOES or DOESN’T It? So DOES or DOESN’T It? Tell Me!Tell Me!

No!No! I cannot give you wisdom; I can only show I cannot give you wisdom; I can only show

you the path, try to keep you from hurting you the path, try to keep you from hurting yourself when you fall, and congratulate you yourself when you fall, and congratulate you when you succeed with the tools you and I when you succeed with the tools you and I have collectedhave collected

Besides, there are still options left to considerBesides, there are still options left to consider

What Options?What Options? While there are other schools of thought in the “free-will” While there are other schools of thought in the “free-will”

battle – especially theological ones – our four main players battle – especially theological ones – our four main players are the Determinists, Libertarians, Compatibilists, and are the Determinists, Libertarians, Compatibilists, and “Agents”“Agents”

Determinists: Your only free actions are ones you do without Determinists: Your only free actions are ones you do without cause. But since we (the Ds) believe in UC, everything has a cause. But since we (the Ds) believe in UC, everything has a cause – so, in short, you can’t do anything freely.cause – so, in short, you can’t do anything freely.

Libertarians: Your only free actions are ones you do without Libertarians: Your only free actions are ones you do without cause – “uncaused” free actions. We’re obviously free, so cause – “uncaused” free actions. We’re obviously free, so why buy into any argument that tries to convince that what why buy into any argument that tries to convince that what you know to be true isn’t – especially since UC isn’t really a you know to be true isn’t – especially since UC isn’t really a scientific principle?scientific principle?

Compatibilists: Free acts can be taken as long as their Compatibilists: Free acts can be taken as long as their cause lies in the inner state of the person – a desire, an cause lies in the inner state of the person – a desire, an intention, etc. Free will, in essence, lines up with UC nicely – intention, etc. Free will, in essence, lines up with UC nicely – because our inner choices/causes determine our will.because our inner choices/causes determine our will.

Agents: Free acts are caused by agents (people). UC exists, Agents: Free acts are caused by agents (people). UC exists, in that every event has a cause – but not every cause is an in that every event has a cause – but not every cause is an event itself. Some things have very short causal histories – event itself. Some things have very short causal histories – not every event has a seemingly infinite number of causes not every event has a seemingly infinite number of causes linking to it.linking to it.

Which One Are You?Which One Are You? Articulate your personal philosophy regarding Articulate your personal philosophy regarding

choice and destiny. choice and destiny. Here are some questions to help you get started:Here are some questions to help you get started:

What is your “truth?” What is your “truth?” What is your proof?What is your proof? Which school’s arguments about choice dovetail most Which school’s arguments about choice dovetail most

closely with your own, and how do they compare?closely with your own, and how do they compare? Which school do you absolutely disbelieve, and why?Which school do you absolutely disbelieve, and why?

Let’s discuss this topic, then write about it.Let’s discuss this topic, then write about it. This is an ongoing assignment with an open This is an ongoing assignment with an open

timeframe; we’ll start one each day, and you’ll timeframe; we’ll start one each day, and you’ll finish each on your own time (with the condition finish each on your own time (with the condition that you must work until the bell rings in class).that you must work until the bell rings in class). At the end of the unit, the body of these writings will At the end of the unit, the body of these writings will

allow you to form your personal statement of allow you to form your personal statement of philosophy – the unit’s “end product.”philosophy – the unit’s “end product.”