Free Will: Determinism, Compatibilism & Libertarianism …

Determinism

Often considered the most dogmatic of the three, determinism asserts that man may have circumstantial freedom, but he does not have metaphysical freedom. In other words, we may have the freedom to stand up and sit down, but we don't really have the freedom to choose a path in life. For this, we're at the mercy of our physical bodies and circumstance.

Using its name as its definition, determinism asserts that man's path is predetermined. In other words, freedom is an illusion. When we think we're making choices, we're really just at the mercy of physical impulses or events which have already occurred.

To use a rather oversimplified example, a determinist might tell me I didn't really choose to get an education. Instead, I was simply born into a family of people who were educated. Therefore, what I thought was a choice was really just me falling in line with events which had already occurred. In the same manner, I will always choose salty foods over sweet. To me, this is a choice. However, a determinist might tell me I simply reach for salt because my physical makeup requires more sodium than most.

Of course, this type of hard determinism causes some serious ethical dilemmas. Most pointedly, if we're all just puppets on the path of existence, how can anyone ever be held responsible for their actions? How can we punish the criminal and elevate the saint? Under hard determinism, man can't be held responsible. You can see the dogma there, can't you?

Building on this question, many philosophers hold to the opposite of determinism, libertarianism. Also called indeterminism, libertarianism asserts that man has both circumstantial and metaphysical freedom.

We aren't just puppets dangling from a string, nor are we subject to some predetermined path. We've got the capacity and intellect to choose between options. On my own, I made the conscious choice to get an education, and I'm making a conscious choice each time I grab for potato chips. In other words, free will is alive and kicking! For this reason, the criminal deserves punishment, and the saint deserves adulation.

Filling the gap between determinism and libertarianism is compatibilism. Also called soft determinism, compatibilism is rather easy to remember. It proclaims that determinism and libertarianism can be compatible.

Bridging the two, compatibilism sides with determinism in that it agrees actions can be predetermined in the metaphysical realm. However, it also gives a nod to libertarianism. On this side of the coin, compatibilism asserts we are all still responsible for the actions we perform through our circumstantial freedom. Coming full circle with our criminal, he may not have the metaphysical freedom to choose an upright life, but he can use his circumstantial freedom to keep himself away from the scene of a crime!

When discussing freedom, philosophers often cite circumstantial and metaphysical freedom. Circumstantial freedom is the liberty to accomplish an action without interference from obstacles. Metaphysical freedom is the power to choose between opportunities. Determinism, compatibilism, and libertarianism all hold differing positions on freedom.

Determinism asserts that man may have circumstantial freedom, but he does not have metaphysical freedom. We may be able to choose physical actions, but our paths in life are predetermined. This school of thought makes it very difficult to hold man responsible for his predetermined actions.

Libertarianism asserts that man has both circumstantial and metaphysical freedom. Also called indeterminism, it holds that we have the capacity and intellect to choose between options. Man is responsible for his actions.

Standing in the gap between the two is compatibilism. Also called soft determinism, compatibilism asserts that determinism and libertarianism can be compatible. Yes, we may not have metaphysical freedom, but we are still responsible for the actions we exercise through our circumstantial freedom.

As you finish the lesson, you should be able to:

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