Compatibilism

Definition

Compatibilism is the philosophical view that free will and determinism are not mutually exclusive and can coexist. This position asserts that human actions can be both determined by preceding causes and yet still be considered free if they arise from internal motivations and desires. Compatibilism challenges the idea that determinism negates moral responsibility, suggesting that individuals can be held accountable for their actions even if those actions are influenced by prior states of the world.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Compatibilism argues that free will is defined as the ability to act according to one's own motivations without external constraints, rather than the absence of determinism.
2. In the context of Leibniz's philosophy, compatibilism aligns with the idea of pre-established harmony, where each monad operates according to its own internal principles while still harmonizing with others in a predetermined way.
3. Leibniz believed that God created a world where every monad reflects the universe uniquely, allowing for individual agency within a deterministic framework.
4. Compatibilists often use examples of choice and preference to illustrate how individuals can act freely even when influenced by past experiences and circumstances.
5. The debate between compatibilists and incompatibilists centers around the implications of freedom on moral responsibility, particularly how we hold individuals accountable for their actions.

Review Questions

• How does compatibilism reconcile the concepts of free will and determinism?
  • Compatibilism reconciles free will and determinism by suggesting that they can coexist. It argues that even if our choices are determined by prior causes, we can still be considered free as long as our actions align with our internal desires and motivations. This means that an individual can act freely in a deterministic world if they are able to make choices based on their own preferences without external coercion.
• Discuss how Leibniz's view of pre-established harmony relates to compatibilism.
  • Leibniz's view of pre-established harmony complements compatibilism by proposing that while each monad operates according to its own internal laws, these actions are coordinated by God in such a way that they harmonize perfectly with one another. This suggests that while each individual follows a determined path, they still possess the capacity for action within their own sphere. Thus, individuals can make choices that reflect their inner states, which is a core tenet of compatibilist thought.
• Evaluate the significance of compatibilism in discussions about moral responsibility in a deterministic universe.
  • Compatibilism plays a crucial role in discussions about moral responsibility within a deterministic universe by asserting that individuals can still be held accountable for their actions. If free will is defined by acting according to one's own desires, then even in a world governed by determinism, people are responsible for their choices as long as those choices stem from their internal motivations. This perspective challenges the notion that determinism absolves individuals from moral accountability, influencing debates in ethics, law, and philosophy.

Related terms

Determinism:

The philosophical belief that all events, including moral choices, are determined completely by previously existing causes.

Libertarianism: The view that free will is incompatible with determinism and that individuals have genuine control over their choices.

Moral Responsibility:

The status of being responsible for one's actions, implying accountability and the ability to make moral judgments.