Reflection On The Existence Of Free Will - 1135 Words

I. Conceptual Clarification â€Å"Causality† - Causality, within the context of determining the existence of free will, is the â€Å"causal link [that] determines what the future looks like.† (Rauhut, 82) In other words, it is the relationship between two or more events, in which an action is caused or influenced by a prior event. For example, within the context of my â€Å"big decision,† I am choosing between getting a traditional job or selling artwork. The causality within this scenario exists in that I grew up in an unstructured environment and have adapted to working with little structure. This predetermines my choice by influencing my preference and personal values. II. Analyze, Evaluate, Reflect All events have causes. All our actions are events. All caused events are determined by the past. Therefore: All our actions are determined by the past. If all our actions are determined by the past, then we have no power to act other than we do indeed act. If we have no power to act, then we do not have free will. Therefore: We have no free will. The argument for the case of hard determinism is deductive, as it â€Å"provides conclusive support for the truth of the conclusion† from a logical standpoint. (Rauhut, 29) Disregarding the validity of the premises of the argument, each of the premises logically follow to their conclusions - one to the fourth premise, and the other to the ultimate conclusion that, â€Å"We have no free will.† The first conclusion, or fourth premise, is drawn fromShow MoreRelatedEssay about The Existence of God: the Arguments of Locke and Descartes965 Words   |  4 Pagesthat Gods existence is clear and distinct. God exists because the thought of God is derived from a completely clear and distinct idea from within his being (which he concedes is a thinking being). Having come from distinct thoughts, the idea of God can therefore never be considered a falsity. 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