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All 8 Flashcards — Compatibilism
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Question
What is compatibilism?
Answer
The view that free will and determinism can both be true, because 'free' means unforced, not uncaused.
Question
Dennett's account of freedom?
Answer
You're free when you act on your own desires without being forced — even if those desires were caused.
Question
Dennett's shop example?
Answer
Choosing to take goods (caused but yours) vs being dragged out at gunpoint (forced) — that's free vs unfree.
Question
What is incompatibilism?
Answer
The view that free will and determinism cannot both be true (van Inwagen).
Question
Van Inwagen's objection?
Answer
If determinism is true, the past and laws fix everything, so you could never have done otherwise.
Question
Why 'caused' isn't 'forced' (Dennett)?
Answer
A caused desire is still yours; a gunman's order isn't — so causation doesn't remove freedom.
Question
The two senses of 'could have done otherwise'?
Answer
'If you'd wanted to' (Dennett) vs 'with the exact same past' (van Inwagen) — the sides talk past each other.
Question
Three positions on freedom and determinism?
Answer
Hard determinist (no freedom); Dennett (compatible); van Inwagen (incompatible).
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Freedom
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